daniel chigunwe
Curtworth Masango and Paul Pindani
SCOTTLAND have claimed they are victims of a grand conspiracy to derail their quest for promotion into the domestic Premiership in their maiden campaign, in the ZIFA Northern Region Division One league, and the incident in Karoi is just part of the grand plan.
The Harare side have emerged as the closest challengers to leaders MWOS in what has become a dramatic and tense battle for a place in the top-flight league.
Their last league match against Karoi United was abandoned, with just minutes remaining in the contest, with the match tied 1-1 at Chikangwe.
The referee, Matthew Dingo, went down after he was hit by what Karoi United officials claim was a stray ball thrown by a fan from the terraces.
The referee says he was targeted and was injured to the extent that he could no longer continue officiating in the match.
A Scottland official, who chose not to be named, claimed yesterday the newboys were victims of a grand conspiracy.
“You cannot look at what happened in Karoi in isolation, you have to look at our game against MWOS in Norton, the clear foul on our goalkeeper which was not given and they got a corner from the incident and went on to score the late equaliser.
“You also need to look at the clear distractions on our ‘keeper by that ball boy, which went unpunished by the match officials and the events at the game between Harare City and MWOS on Sunday where City’s effort crossed the line but was scooped back into play and what should have been a key goal in the race was ruled out.
“It’s all connected and we are the victims here.”
When contacted, Scottland team manager, Tawanda “TeeOne” Chidzidzi, said he only wanted to discuss events in Karoi.
He told H-Metro tension had been rising at Chikangwe after a Karoi United player, Edmore Mubatapasango, was sent off in the second half.
“As a club, we are waiting for the reports from the match officials and then we will see how the responsible authorities deal with the issue.”
Chidzidzi said the referee was hit by an object thrown by the home fans.
“The referee was stoned and he collapsed on the ground. Despite receiving treatment from both medical teams he wasn’t able to carry on.
“Shamefully, the (Karoi) fans were also throwing stones on our bench way before this incident and we notified the match commissioner.”
The league’s leaders have decided to act and, in a statement, contradicted claims from the Karoi United officials that there was no violence at Chikangwe.
“The NRSL is shocked and dismayed by the acts of violence that occurred on the 15th of September at Chikangwe Stadium during a league match between Karoi United FC against Scottland FC, as was witnessed by the multitude of fans who attended the match and as well as reported in the Match Officials reports.
“It is more worrying when such acts of violence come at the heels of a similar incident which occurred at Shamva Mine Stadium, when the home team Shamva Mine FC played against MWOS FC.
“The board received all relevant documents pertaining to the disturbances which marred the match at Shamva Mine Stadium, and the verdict will be released before the end of the week.
“With regards to the match at Chikangwe Stadium, we are awaiting the necessary reports in order to take appropriate action.
“The league is introducing new measures to boost security at matches. The league will immediately therefore introduce the following raft of measures, with the clear aim to help prevent the occurrence of such acts of violence:
“1. Increase the minimum number of police details from the current number of 4 to 10 per match.
“2. Increase the minimum number of marshalls from the current number of 10 to 30 per each match.
“3. The league will appoint League Security Officers to superintend at certain designated matches, working in liaison with the security officers from the two respective teams.”
Online Reporter