adminDeMbare were hauled before the Premier Soccer League disciplinary committee after their marshals assaulted Hwange coaches Nation Dube and Mebelo Njekwa before a league match in May.
Jotham Moyo a former Bulawayo Rockets defensive link, who is an ardent soccer follower, said the decision to give points to Dynamos was not good for football.
He said after the announcement there was ill-feeling among Zimbabweans towards each other.
He said any decision which appeared to deliberately aid either Dynamos or Highlanders always had regional and tribal connotations.
“To the man in the street that decision was meant to give Dynamos advantage over Highlanders whom they trailed by three points.
“How were Hwange expected to play well after their coaches were assaulted? The coal miners were in a catch-22 because refusing to play would also have seen them being punished severely by the league.
“Abandoning the match would have caused chaos at Rufaro Stadium because fans were going to run riot.
“The decision to award points to Dynamos does not do football any good but instead it divides the nation. Dynamos and Highlanders are two big constituencies that need respect. I hope the Commercial Arbitration Centre will make a football decision that is fair to both sides.
“A replay was the best decision given the conditions Hwange were forced to play under,” said Moyo.
Hillary Ndlovu, the son of former successful Highlanders chairman and manager Silas, said the decision had indirectly brought Bosso into the equation.
Soccer, Hillary said, should unite people. It should be an environment where people come from different backgrounds and relax together happily.
“I am not happy with the way Hwange were treated. What message are we sending in our football? Is violence from certain clubs tolerated?
“The case presented Zifa with an opportunity to send a loud and clear message that hooliganism has no place in Zimbabwean football,” said Hillary.
Hillary also appealed to the media to stop referring to matches between Dynamos and Highlanders as the “Battles of Zimbabwe.”
“It’s just a game and the media should just stop inciting fans through reckless use of words. There is no fight at all, its a game involving two big teams. Let the players fight on the field and congratulate each other after the match. We need to always promote unity so that players realise they are all Zimbabweans playing for different teams,” said Hillary.
Dynamos Supporters Association, national committee member Wirimai Chiminya said sport plays a key role in uniting the people.
He said sport brings people from diverse backgrounds together.
“At times decisions we least expect are made but what is important at the end of the day is to accept such decisions.
“We know people can make wrong decisions but we should not blow our tops and create a hostile environment,” said Chiminya.
Another city Dynamos supporter, Sunungurai Bhiza who has been involved in supporters association business in the last five years, said it was unfortunate that people had taken to social networks to vent their emotions.
He said that was unfortunate as some of the comments were derogatory and divisive.
“Let us confine ourselves to debating decisions and avoid being carried away. Maybe it took too long to finalise the case. It might have come at the wrong time when championship race is hotting up but let us not insult each other. Let us remain united and look at soccer as just entertainment and nothing else.
“It should be one thing that brings us together. Soccer does not discriminate in any way. It brings people of different backgrounds together. Let us look at it as entertainment and stop calling each other names.
“Soccer has its own appeal structures for those not happy with a verdict at any stage,” said Bhiza.
Sihle Ncube of Emakhandeni said while the judgment appeared to favour Dynamos in the championship race, soccer should stay apolitical.
“There is ill-feeling among the fans but should end. We are soccer-loving people so let us enjoy the game as Zimbabweans,” said Ncube.
Online Reporter