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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS FC welfare manager Willard Khumalo has been fined $500 for unsporting behaviour during his team’s loss to FC Platinum in the BancABC Sup8r quarter-finals at the beginning of the month. The former Warriors legend was involved in a near-fist fight with Harare-based referee Nomore Masundire who he accused of biased officiating when Bosso were booted out of the rich BancABC Sup8r Cup competition in Masvingo.
Kennedy Ndebele, the Castle Lager Premiership chief executive officer yesterday said all those that flout the rules and regulations of the game will be fined.
“It is true that Khumalo has been fined for violating the competition’s rules and regulations. Every team got the rules and regulations of the BancABC Sup8r Cup and we are just implementing the statutes as we guard against unruly behaviour. It is stated in the rules and regulations that the PSL will impose fines on acts of misconduct upon receiving a report from the match referee.
“Actually he is not the only one who has been fined as Dynamos’ coach Callisto Pasuwa and FC Platinum have also been slapped with fines for the offences they committed during the quarter-finals,” said Ndebele.
According to the rules and regulations, use of abusive language and any unsportsmanship conduct by club officials, players before, during and after the match attracts a fine of $500.
Khumalo becomes the second Highlanders technical bench member to be fined after head coach Kelvin Kaindu was fined a similar amount for his expulsion in the 2-1 win over Triangle.
FC Platinum were not spared either as they were heavily fined after one of their overzealous fans was captured live on television driving around the playing field during penalty shoot-out.
For the offence of failing as a club to “exercise control over its fans before, during and after the match leading to chaos” as written in the competition’s rules and regulations, a fine of $8 000 has been imposed on FC Platinum.
Highlanders lost 3-1 to FC Platinum in the quarter-finals after penalty shoot-out with both teams having played to a goalless draw after regulation time.
FC Platinum goalkeeper Francis Tizayi was the hero of the day for the platinum miners saving two penalties from Simon Munawa and Bruce Kangwa.
National team striker Charles Sibanda, Daniel Veremu and Joel Ngodzo scored their spot-kicks for FC Platinum while Milton Ncube was on target for Bosso.
Pasuwa whose side beat Buffaloes 2-0 in the other quarter-final match to set a last four date with Shabanie Mine is expected to fork out $500 just like Khumalo after being expelled from that encounter.
According to the rules and regulations, “A coach, manager or member of the technical team expelled from the technical area before or during a match, a fine of $500 is imposed.”
Pasuwa went for an early shower against Buffaloes in the 59th minute after remonstrating with the referee.
Ndebele urged clubs to uphold the rules and regulations as his office will come heavily on offenders.
“It is our duty as the PSL to protect the sponsors and offer a complete product. As such, anyone, be it a club or individual who does not conform to the rules and regulations will be dealt with accordingly,” said Ndebele.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo soccer enthusiasts will get an opportunity to watch the semi-finals of the BancABC Sup8r Cup to be played at Barbourfields Stadium at a date to be announced.
Dynamos will lock horns with Shabanie Mine who knocked out Chicken Inn while FC Platinum will square off with Monomotapa who beat Motor Action in the quarter-finals.
“The BancABC Sup8r semi-finals will be a double header and will be played in Bulawayo. We are going to announce the date in due course,” Ndebele said.
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