Wenslus Murape
Sports Reporter
THE tension, which has been rising in the ZIFA Northern Region Soccer League after one of their greatest championship races, rose a notch higher yesterday after Scottland were handed three points for their abandoned league match against Karoi United.
That boardroom ruling took the Mabvuku side, who were formed at the beginning of the year, to within two points of leaders MWOS FC, with 18 points still to play for.
It meant that the leading two clubs have won two boardroom battles, in the past few months, with MWOS being awarded three points from their abandoned league match against Trojan Stars.
The circumstances, though, are different.
MWOS had a last-gasp effort, which crossed the line and would have been the winner, which was disputed by Trojan Stars, leading to the game’s abandonment.
Scottland were tied 1-1 with Karoi United, in the dying moments of the game, when the game was abandoned after the referee collapsed, claiming he had been hit by an object.
Karoi United officials claimed referee Matthew Dingo’s actions were theatrical, with the mission to get the game abandoned, after he was hit by what they said was a ball thrown from the terraces.
However, the match officials disputed that version of events and the game’s commissioner’s report sealed the contest in Scottland’s favour.
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.
“At 14:10 Scottland FC team bus arrived and gates were immediately locked,” match commissioner Kanzvimbo Kanzvimbo said in his 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 lost.
“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 started feigning injuries delaying the restart of play. He was verbally warned several times, and at 82 minutes, the referee went to caution him for a similar offence.
“During that process, Karoi United supporters, who were behind the goal, threw missiles at him and he fell. Police and medical teams entered the field of play to assist him.”
Kanzvimbo added:
“At around 18:00hrs, more police officers arrived and we were escorted out of the stadium up to town.”
Online Reporter