PSL caught up in Dembare fines' storm

THE Premier Soccer League has been caught up in a fines' storm for not punishing Harare giants Dynamos for their fans' violent behaviour in the 1-1 draw against Tsholotsho at Barbourfields Stadium on August 23.

Instead, the PSL came down heavily on the league debutants, fining them $2,000 for what they said was a failure to control fans leading to the chaos (pitch invasion against Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium), according to the league's standing order offences and fines in possession of Chronicle Sport.

Dembare fans threw various objects onto the pitch from their Mpilo End bay before damaging the perimeter fence, invading the pitch and uprooting the goal post after the final whistle. All this happened in full view of the police, who just stood and watched as the drama unfolded.

Pay-per-view television station SuperSport threatened a Barbourfields Stadium live broadcast blackout due to the incident citing safety concerns after one of their cameramen had to flee the marauding hooligans while dismantling his equipment.

It is, however, suspected that the match commissioner did not capture that incident in his report to the PSL and they, therefore, could not apply any punitive measures on misdemeanours not included in their point man's report. The failure to fine Dynamos is in sharp contrast to the $2,000 fine imposed on Highlanders after their fans invaded the pitch following a 0-1 loss to Whawha at Ascot Stadium in Gweru.

Dynamos' only away fine was in the 1-1 stalemate against Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium. "It seems our fans are easily identifiable. These reports which are used to fine clubs are compiled by match commissioners and missile throwing by some clubs' supporters are not captured," said an angry Ndumiso Gumede, the Highlanders Chief Executive Officer, at the club's weekly Press conference yesterday.

He said they had since written a strongly worded letter to the PSL voicing their displeasure at what they feel is a biased application of the rules and regulations.

Bosso are also unhappy that FC Platinum, one of the only two clubs to escape the wrath of the league with How Mine, were left out of the fines' book despite their supporters viciously attacking Highlanders' fans after their drawn game at Mandava Stadium.

One of the Bosso supporters is still in hospital with a suspected spinal injury. In sanctions totalling $34,775 issued to clubs for an assortment of misdemeanours, Caps United tops the list with $8,750 in fines ranging from pitch invasions to failure to fulfil a match. They are followed by Dynamos, who were fined a total of $8,375, mostly for missile throwing by their unruly fans.

It's a figure that on its own raises eyebrows after the club's leadership were recently quoted in the media contemplating a change of venue from Rufaro Stadium to the National Sports Stadium due to constant missile throwing by their supporters. Financially crippled Highlanders will have to fork out $8,000 for pitch invasions and missile throwing by their fans.

Chicken Inn, Triangle United, Harare City and Flame Lily have one fine each. Chicken Inn were fined $450 after all their players used a kit without the sponsor's logo in their 0-2 loss to Harare City. Triangle were charged $125 after accumulating five yellow cards in a single match against Caps United.

Harare City were fined a similar amount for the expulsion of assistant coach Mkhuphali Masuku against Triangle United. Flame Lily were hit with a $250 fine for failing to submit requested information by set deadline (monthly awards ballot).