Sports / Soccer
Dembare get reprieve
16 Jun 2016 at 14:20hrs | Views
DYNAMOS have been granted a reprieve to allow fans to watch Sunday's league game against Ngezi Platinum at Rufaro after the National Football Association of Zimbabwe (NAFAZ) confirmed receiving their appeal papers yesterday.
The Harare giants were last month ordered to play one match in an empty stadium and fined by the Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee for the crowd trouble that rocked Rufaro in May following a home defeat to FC Platinum.
Officials from NAFAZ yesterday acknowledged receipt of Dynamos' appeal, which effectively sets aside the ruling until a decision is made by the higher office.
"We have seen their appeal. The papers are here and they will be looked into according to the procedures," said an official.
"Official communication will be sent to Dynamos tomorrow (today) but what it means technically is that supporters will be allowed into the stadium on Sunday on the basis that Dynamos have appealed. That's all I can say at the moment."
Dynamos were penalised in absentia after they didn't send a representative to the hearing despite receiving the summons from the Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee.
The Glamour Boys were also fined $3 500 of which $1 500 was suspended for the rest of the season on condition that they were not convicted of a similar offence.
However, club president Kenny Mubaiwa claimed they were given short notice and challenged the verdict, which he felt was too harsh.
"We are still waiting for the official response from NAFAZ, which we expect tomorrow (today) and we are very hopeful that our fans will be allowed into the stadium, so we are planning accordingly," said Mubaiwa.
"What happened that day is now behind us. It's in the past and what we are saying as the leadership of the club is we don't want to see a repeat of that.
"Football should bring people together, it's not a war zone. So we are saying to those who committed the barbaric acts, please refrain from that.
"As Dynamos, we should be united especially at this moment when we are mourning our supporters who perished in a road accident. The same unity that we demonstrated during the funerals should continue.
"We are one family."
DeMbare are coming from a morale-boosting 2-1 away win over Chapungu.
The Glamour Boys are e still in mourning after eight of their supporters died from injuries sustained in a road accident last Saturday.
Mubaiwa said it was only proper that their supporters come together on Sunday to pay tribute to their departed colleagues.
The vehicle that was involved in the accident has been condemned as having had defects which put the lives of the fans at risk.
Police are looking into the issue.
"Dynamos Football Club are going to partner with reputable transport companies, who will be recommended to supporters to use when travelling to away matches," said Mubaiwa.
"Reputable companies check and service their vehicles. We know accidents are unavoidable, but we wouldn't allow our supporters to compromise their safety and security by using transport not roadworthy when travelling."
Dynamos are planning to observe a minute of silence before the kick off of the match against Ngezi in honour of the deceased fans.
Mubaiwa said that they will also hold a memorial service at Rufaro on a date to be announced.
"You all know that our team has not been playing very well of late, but these supporters came to support the team.
"Supporters are our twelfth man and we are what we are because of these supporters. We were supposed to have held one memorial service before burial but could not due to logistical problems.
"We are going to hold one memorial service in the near future," said Mubaiwa.
Meanwhile, police yesterday said they are still investigating the accident which claimed the lives of eight Dynamos fans.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba yesterday said the Vehicle Inspection Department have since inspected the Iveco Bus that the fans were travelling in.
"Police are still investigating the matter. We, however, want to correct reports that the fittings on the vehicle were not done properly and that it was supposed to be a two-wheel.
"It is a one-wheel and it has been inspected by the VID," she said.
Police have since urged motorists to exercise caution on the roads to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.
The Harare giants were last month ordered to play one match in an empty stadium and fined by the Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee for the crowd trouble that rocked Rufaro in May following a home defeat to FC Platinum.
Officials from NAFAZ yesterday acknowledged receipt of Dynamos' appeal, which effectively sets aside the ruling until a decision is made by the higher office.
"We have seen their appeal. The papers are here and they will be looked into according to the procedures," said an official.
"Official communication will be sent to Dynamos tomorrow (today) but what it means technically is that supporters will be allowed into the stadium on Sunday on the basis that Dynamos have appealed. That's all I can say at the moment."
Dynamos were penalised in absentia after they didn't send a representative to the hearing despite receiving the summons from the Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee.
The Glamour Boys were also fined $3 500 of which $1 500 was suspended for the rest of the season on condition that they were not convicted of a similar offence.
However, club president Kenny Mubaiwa claimed they were given short notice and challenged the verdict, which he felt was too harsh.
"We are still waiting for the official response from NAFAZ, which we expect tomorrow (today) and we are very hopeful that our fans will be allowed into the stadium, so we are planning accordingly," said Mubaiwa.
"What happened that day is now behind us. It's in the past and what we are saying as the leadership of the club is we don't want to see a repeat of that.
"Football should bring people together, it's not a war zone. So we are saying to those who committed the barbaric acts, please refrain from that.
"As Dynamos, we should be united especially at this moment when we are mourning our supporters who perished in a road accident. The same unity that we demonstrated during the funerals should continue.
"We are one family."
DeMbare are coming from a morale-boosting 2-1 away win over Chapungu.
The Glamour Boys are e still in mourning after eight of their supporters died from injuries sustained in a road accident last Saturday.
The vehicle that was involved in the accident has been condemned as having had defects which put the lives of the fans at risk.
Police are looking into the issue.
"Dynamos Football Club are going to partner with reputable transport companies, who will be recommended to supporters to use when travelling to away matches," said Mubaiwa.
"Reputable companies check and service their vehicles. We know accidents are unavoidable, but we wouldn't allow our supporters to compromise their safety and security by using transport not roadworthy when travelling."
Dynamos are planning to observe a minute of silence before the kick off of the match against Ngezi in honour of the deceased fans.
Mubaiwa said that they will also hold a memorial service at Rufaro on a date to be announced.
"You all know that our team has not been playing very well of late, but these supporters came to support the team.
"Supporters are our twelfth man and we are what we are because of these supporters. We were supposed to have held one memorial service before burial but could not due to logistical problems.
"We are going to hold one memorial service in the near future," said Mubaiwa.
Meanwhile, police yesterday said they are still investigating the accident which claimed the lives of eight Dynamos fans.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba yesterday said the Vehicle Inspection Department have since inspected the Iveco Bus that the fans were travelling in.
"Police are still investigating the matter. We, however, want to correct reports that the fittings on the vehicle were not done properly and that it was supposed to be a two-wheel.
"It is a one-wheel and it has been inspected by the VID," she said.
Police have since urged motorists to exercise caution on the roads to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.
Source - the herald
