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Police assaulted Ngezi Platinum players
3 hrs ago |
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Ngezi Platinum Stars have lodged a formal complaint with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) following allegations that uniformed police officers assaulted their players during a league match against Dynamos FC at Rufaro Stadium on 4 October 2025.
In a letter addressed to the PSL's Acting Chief Executive Officer, Rodwell Thabe, Ngezi Platinum Stars CEO Amanda Nyanzero condemned the alleged incident, describing it as a serious threat to player welfare and a blow to the integrity of the competition.
According to the club's account, the violence erupted after a controversial refereeing decision in which a goal was awarded to Dynamos despite the referee having already blown the whistle to stop play.
"Our defender was in the process of clearing the ball when it went into the net, yet the goal was awarded. Our players approached the assistant referee to seek clarification, and it was at that moment that police officers charged at them and assaulted them without provocation," Nyanzero wrote.
Ngezi Platinum Stars said the confrontation was captured on broadcast footage and on videos taken by supporters, providing evidence of the assault.
The club added that it immediately reported the matter to the match commissioner at halftime and is now calling for a full investigation by the PSL.
"Player welfare and safety are paramount. The deployment of force against players in a controlled match environment is unacceptable and poses severe risks to health, careers, and the integrity of the competition," the letter stated.
Ngezi urged the PSL to launch an urgent inquiry, gathering statements from the match commissioner, match officials, the PSL Safety and Security Officer, stadium security personnel, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers deployed at Rufaro Stadium.
The club reaffirmed its commitment to non-violence and professionalism, stressing that its players are "consistently instructed to comply with match day security directives."
The PSL is yet to publicly respond to the complaint.
In a letter addressed to the PSL's Acting Chief Executive Officer, Rodwell Thabe, Ngezi Platinum Stars CEO Amanda Nyanzero condemned the alleged incident, describing it as a serious threat to player welfare and a blow to the integrity of the competition.
According to the club's account, the violence erupted after a controversial refereeing decision in which a goal was awarded to Dynamos despite the referee having already blown the whistle to stop play.
"Our defender was in the process of clearing the ball when it went into the net, yet the goal was awarded. Our players approached the assistant referee to seek clarification, and it was at that moment that police officers charged at them and assaulted them without provocation," Nyanzero wrote.
Ngezi Platinum Stars said the confrontation was captured on broadcast footage and on videos taken by supporters, providing evidence of the assault.
"Player welfare and safety are paramount. The deployment of force against players in a controlled match environment is unacceptable and poses severe risks to health, careers, and the integrity of the competition," the letter stated.
Ngezi urged the PSL to launch an urgent inquiry, gathering statements from the match commissioner, match officials, the PSL Safety and Security Officer, stadium security personnel, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers deployed at Rufaro Stadium.
The club reaffirmed its commitment to non-violence and professionalism, stressing that its players are "consistently instructed to comply with match day security directives."
The PSL is yet to publicly respond to the complaint.
Source - online
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