Yadah have asked to play before an empty Barbourfields Stadium

Kennedy Ndebele, the Chief Executive Officer of Castle Lager Premier Soccer, has acknowledged receipt of a letter from Yadah Stars' legal representatives, who are requesting that their Week 23 fixture against Highlanders FC be either moved to a neutral venue or played behind closed doors.

The scheduled fixture is set to take place at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday. However, due to recent crowd disturbances that occurred at Emagumeni during Bosso's match against Dynamos last weekend, the Yadah Stars, also known as the Miracle Boys, have expressed concerns about playing at Barbourfields Stadium.

Yadah has proposed two options to address their concerns. Firstly, they have requested to play the match in an empty Barbourfields Stadium. Secondly, they have suggested moving the game to a neutral stadium, with Bata Stadium in Gweru being their preferred alternative venue.

Kennedy Ndebele commented, "We have received the letter from Yadah, and we will provide a response to the club in due course."

Yadah Stars, represented by Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners, argue that the safety and well-being of their fans, players, officials, and other stakeholders have been compromised in light of the upcoming fixture. They point to the violence that occurred last Sunday, which followed what Highlanders fans perceived as an unfair refereeing decision. Yadah believes this incident sets a dangerous precedent where match officials may feel intimidated to officiate impartially, especially at Barbourfields Stadium.

In their letter, Yadah expressed concerns about the psychological impact of the violence and the potential for match officials to be influenced negatively. They fear that their players may be inhibited from performing at their best due to concerns about incensing Highlanders FC supporters, which could lead to an unfair competition.

While acknowledging the inconvenience of late venue changes, Yadah has proposed an alternative solution. They suggest changing the venue for Sunday's match from Barbourfields to Bata Stadium in Gweru or any other neutral venue outside Bulawayo. This, they argue, would create an environment where fair play can be upheld without fear or intimidation, safeguarding the welfare of all parties involved and preserving the integrity of the game.

However, Yadah also acknowledges that their request for a neutral venue may not be granted. In that case, they request that the match be played in an empty stadium, with no spectators present, as a measure to mitigate potential security threats and ensure the safety of all participants. This approach, they argue, would demonstrate a commitment to the principles of fair play, integrity, and respect for the game of football.