Sports / Soccer
Hooligans should be stamped out with harsh penalties
16 Aug 2016 at 07:57hrs | Views
Sport and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane on Monday held a hastily arranged press briefing and ordered Zifa to come hard on soccer hooligans.
Hlongwane suggested banning perpetrators of violence at stadiums.
That was in the wake of disturbances during Highlanders and Chicken Inn encounter on Sunday.
Below is part of his speech:
"The ministry would like to state in categoric terms that hooliganism and other forms of violence have no place in football, in particular, and sport in general as it defeats the very well established axioms of sport, i.e. promoting peace and a culture of tolerance.
"Government takes note of the fact that despite earlier warnings for ZIFA to take action on hooliganism and violence at football matches, the following matters have not been conclusively resolved:
"Violence at the Mutare City Rovers–How Mine match of 8 May 2016 where a ZIFA Councillor invaded the pitch and threatened a match official in full view of the fans and spectators of the game.
"The Dynamos FC - Platinum match of 14 May 2016 has not been conclusively resolved, despite advice by Government and the Sports Commission.
"It is Government's view that the lack of decisive action on these very important matters of football by ZIFA have allowed the culture of violence to continue to breed at football matches.
"The lack of disciplinary action on the ZIFA board member, who invaded the pitch in Mutare and threatened officials is creating an impression that ZIFA itself is sheltering merchants of violence within its structures and promoting a culture of impunity.
"Government is therefore, advising ZIFA to lead by example and to take stern action on all perpetrators of violence in all the cited incidences including the Highlanders–Chicken Inn match.
"Further, Government suggests that hooligans should be banned from attending soccer matches and that the underlying causes of violence at soccer matches should be investigated and dealt with decisively.
"Lastly, Government calls on ZIFA to immediately expedite as it should have done, the process of constituting its committees to raise the level of capacity and skills of officials, for better and professional handling and management of all matches."
Hlongwane suggested banning perpetrators of violence at stadiums.
That was in the wake of disturbances during Highlanders and Chicken Inn encounter on Sunday.
Below is part of his speech:
"The ministry would like to state in categoric terms that hooliganism and other forms of violence have no place in football, in particular, and sport in general as it defeats the very well established axioms of sport, i.e. promoting peace and a culture of tolerance.
"Government takes note of the fact that despite earlier warnings for ZIFA to take action on hooliganism and violence at football matches, the following matters have not been conclusively resolved:
"The Dynamos FC - Platinum match of 14 May 2016 has not been conclusively resolved, despite advice by Government and the Sports Commission.
"It is Government's view that the lack of decisive action on these very important matters of football by ZIFA have allowed the culture of violence to continue to breed at football matches.
"The lack of disciplinary action on the ZIFA board member, who invaded the pitch in Mutare and threatened officials is creating an impression that ZIFA itself is sheltering merchants of violence within its structures and promoting a culture of impunity.
"Government is therefore, advising ZIFA to lead by example and to take stern action on all perpetrators of violence in all the cited incidences including the Highlanders–Chicken Inn match.
"Further, Government suggests that hooligans should be banned from attending soccer matches and that the underlying causes of violence at soccer matches should be investigated and dealt with decisively.
"Lastly, Government calls on ZIFA to immediately expedite as it should have done, the process of constituting its committees to raise the level of capacity and skills of officials, for better and professional handling and management of all matches."
Source - Byo24News
