adminTadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
BLACK RHINOS have withdrawn their complaint against officials who handled their match against FC Platinum last weekend.
The former champions officially wrote to the Premier Soccer League complaining about the manner in which referee Josiah Masimira had conducted himself in their 1-1 draw against the defending champions at Mandava on Saturday.
In that letter, club secretary-general, Edward Mutukwa, had pointed out that his team had been denied what they thought was a clear penalty in the first half.
The team was also convinced FC Platinum’s equaliser scored by Panashe Mutimbanyoka had been bundled home by his hand.
“Black Rhinos FC, in the spirit of fairness and professionalism in the Premier Soccer League submits its displeasure on the way the match officials handled its match against FC Platinum on Saturday 13 August 2022.
As a professional club, we feel we were unfairly treated due to a number of decisions which were biased towards FC Platinum. Cases in point among others are that the referee Josiah Masimira, and his assistants denied us a clear penalty in the first half and went on to allow a goal scored by FC Platinum using a hand to stand towards the end of the game,” read the letter.
“To make matters worse, he (Masimira) went on to give a yellow card to the goalkeeper (Black Rhinos goalie Blessing Mwandimutsira) for protesting against the goal.
“We stand guided by the PSL regulations, notwithstanding our right to be heard and ensure the proper channels are followed. It is our hope that our matter will be given due consideration in order to ensure that football clubs remain professional and not influence the outcome of matches.”
That letter was also copied to Ruzive Ruzive, the ZIFA Referees Committee vice-chairperson.
However, the club have since withdrawn the complaint.
“Black Rhinos Football Club, wishes to retract its complaints on the handling of the game by match officials against FC Platinum on Saturday 13 August 2022 at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane. Our earlier review of the match video had indicated that the player scored using a hand. Later on, the combined review on a clearer platform with the Vice Chairman of the Referees Committee Mr. Ruzive Ruzive indicated that the ball hit the post and then the back of the FC Platinum player before bouncing into the net.
“The Club unreservedly issues an apology to the referees led by Mr Josiah Masimira and the entire body of match officials. We remain committed to support them and work with them amicably in order to lift our football to higher levels of professionalism,” read their letter of withdrawal.
Ruzive saluted Black Rhinos for their gentlemanly attitude.
Online Reporter