By Tafadzwa Chigandiwa
Local football authority, Premier Soccer League (PSL) yesterday, issued a press statement to condemn tthe hooliganism and violence which erupted on Saturday during a Castle Challenge Cup match between FC Platinum and Highlanders FC at Barbourfields (BF) Stadium in Bulawayo.
Violence began at the stroke of the second half, Bosso fans appealed for a controversial penalty on pint sized midfielder Ray Lunga, refree of the day called for play to carry on and fans at the Soweto bay ran amok throwing missles in the field, forcing the match to stop and police officers to retreat from the attack.
In a statement signed by their communication and media officer, Kudzai Bare, PSL revealed that there are concerned with the act of violence which took place at BF.
“The Premier Soccer League strongly condemns act of violence and hooliganism that took place at Babourfields Stadium 14 March 2020 during a Castle Challenge Cup fixture between FC Platinum and Highlanders FC,” reads the statement.
PSL described the violence as unsupported to the football fraternity and further stated that it is unbearable to the whole nation.
“Such unruly behaviour cannot be tolerated as it reflects badly on the game of football and the country as a whole.” PSL wrote in their statement.
Furthermore, the PSL also issued out that they will work along with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Bulawayo City Council (BCC) security department together with other security officials to inquire on what triggered violence and what measures they can take moving forward.
“We are carrying out an investigation on the matter and have requested reports from the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the two participating clubs, the Bulawayo City Council security department amd security officials on what transpired amd their reccomendations on stemming out violence of football matches played at Babourfields Stadium in particular,” said PSL.
In addition, the local football authority claimed that a penalty shall be charged against Highlanders FC inaccordant with the PSL rules and regulation, together with the laws stipulated by the tournament’s sponsors.
“Meanwhile, we will proceed to charge Highlanders FC in terms of the Premier Soccer League rules and regulations as well as the rules of the tournament,” the statement revealed.
Whilst, the match ended up with a shocking 2 nil defeat in the hands of Bulawayo giants, courtesy of a first half brace from the former Harare City midfielder, Sillas Songani, however his two goals did not prompt the violence.
