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Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
NORTHERN Region Soccer League title-contenders Scottland last night eased to within two points of log leaders MWOS after emerged that they have been awarded the points for their abandoned game against Karoi United.
Although the ruling is expected to be made today, Zimpapers Sports Hub can reveal that the ambitious Mabvuku-Tafara outfit will get the points on a 3-0 scoreline and take there tally to 69.
MWOS have 71 points.
A three-member NRSL independent tribunal heard the matter and handed down the judgment after a thorough process in which they had to meticulously examine heads of arguments from both clubs as well as go through match officials’ reports.
The game that was played on September 15 was terminated with eight minutes still to play after referee of the day, Matthew Dingo was reportedly struck by a missile on his groin, thrown by a Karoi United fan resulting in him falling down and had to be attended to before subsequently escorted to the changing room to escape the wrath of the home team’s fans who were hurling objects at him.
The incident happened when Dingo had attempted to flash a yellow card at Karoi United goalkeeper Roy Monze for time-wasting when the match was still 1-1.
And for causing the abandonment of the game, Karoi United were adjudged to have lost the game with Scottland getting the full points which sees them narrow the gap with MWOS to just two points with six matches to go.
A legal expert who specialises in sports law last night said:
“Teams must earn their points in the field of play and if a match is abandoned, the onus lies with the league through a disciplinary process to prove that there was misconduct on the part of the team(s) concerned.
“There are set rules and regulations which must be applied in the event of a breach in the said regulations.
“Once a Soccer match has been abandoned, through the match official reports it must be ascertained who caused the abandonment and the nature of the misconduct. Where it can be ascertained that a team caused the abandonment of the match, the general rule is to award such match to the other team on a 3-0 scoreline,” said the expert.
“The nature of the misconduct can be in so many forms, including the following, pitch invasion, manhandling of match officials, attack on match officials and players by fans, throwing of missiles onto the field of play.
“Clubs must be warned that they must abide by set rules and regulations and the DC must uphold the rule book so that we can have certainty in the management of football.
“No matter how harsh the application of the rule book may seem, there can never be any substitute for consistent application of rules.”
While Scottland can celebrate the win, thanks to Karoi United’s recklessness, it is also how the home side behaved before, during, and after the game that left a lot to be desired.
In his match report, match commissioner on the day, Kanzvimbo Kanzvimbo noted that Karoi United locked out Scottland’s team bus from Chikangwe stadium, sparking some commotion that saw some blows being exchanged between members of the two clubs.
Kanzvimbo himself claims some empty bottles were thrown at him with the Karoi United fans also threatening to manhandle him and he also witnessed some missiles being thrown at the Scottland bench.
“The home (team) Karoi United FC were already in their changing room. The away team Scottland FC officials arrived at 13:30 hrs and they were welcomed nicely, their cars were allocated secure parking areas. At 14:10 Scottland FC team bus arrived and gates were immediately locked,” reads Kanzvimbo’s report.
“Commotion between home and away team officials started; some were exchanging blows. I had to intervene with (the) help of police to ensure away team bus entered safely.
“As I was taking my seat Karoi United fans pelted me with empty beverage bottles threatening to manhandle me if they (Karoi United) lost (the match). Missiles were also thrown to the technical bench of Scottland FC then a police officer with a dog was deployed behind them.
“Karoi United goalkeeper (Monze) started feigning injuries delaying the restart of play. He was verbally warned several times and at 82 minutes, the referee (Dingo) went to caution him for a similar offence (and) during that process Karoi United supporters who were behind the goals threw missiles at him and he fell. Police and medical teams entered the field of play to assist him.”
Kanzvimbo further said Dingo had to be carried off the pitch as Karoi United fans continued to rain missiles while he was being treated.
“The referees had to go to the changing rooms for safety and further treatment. Karoi United fans advanced and surrounded the changing room demanding that they be released. I was sprinkled with unknown liquid substances as I moved in and out of changing rooms to check the safety of players.
“Officials and players of Scottland FC had to seek refuge in their team for safety. At around 18:00hrs, more Police officers arrived and we were escorted out of the stadium up to town.
Online Reporter