from DANAI MWARUMBWA in Harare, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Bureau
HARARE, (CAJ News) – LAWLESSNESS by some teams and poor match officiating is blighting the professional football league in Zimbabwe.
In the latest act of ill-discipline and alleged dubious referring, the country’s most popular but long-suffering side, Dynamos, is at the centre of controversy.
With the scores at 1-1, its players walked off the Mandava pitch in Zvishavane after referee Quedisani Dirwai awarded home side FC Platinum a penalty in the 75th minute.
It is likely “Dynamo Dembare” will forfeit the points and be sanctioned by the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
This would worsen the plight of the iconic club that is mired in a relegation battle and recently pulled out of continental competition because of financial challenges.
Opponents claim Dynamos’ record 21 league titles are from lining match officials’ pockets. However, now broken, it is now an unmarketable museum-like club stuck in past glories, with its blue strip the only recognisable trademark it is only holding on to.
Now a broke laughing stock and source of derision, it is facing a rebellion from former players opposed to the current administration.
The players did not camp for the FC Platinum because the club founded in 1963 had no money for hotel dues.
PSL stated that it was awaiting the match officials’ and the two club’s reports on the matter, before determination.
“The PSL strongly condemns any acts of misconduct that lead to the abandonment of matches and those found guilty will face the full wrath of the prescribed penalties,” warned Kudzai Bare, PSL spokesperson.
Dirwai was also the referee at a match between Scottland and former champions Chicken Inn was called off due to violence last month. Police had to intervene as fans went on a rampage and vandalised parts of the stadium.
Cash-rich Scottland, newly promoted, had been awarded a penalty in stoppage time against the victors at Rufaro. Police had to intervene as fans ran riot.
Fans allege business mogul and ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party legislator, Scot Sakupanywa, is using his financial muscle to prop his team to win the league.
Dynamos (placed 15th of 18 teams), along the other traditional giants, Caps United (12th) and Highlanders (ninth), has lost grip of the Zimbabwe premiership following the emergence of clubs bankrolled by mineral companies and entrepreneurs.
Dynamos (14 points) are only above Kwekwe (eight), Triangle (13) and Yadah (14).
Defending champions, Simba Bhora, top the standings with 35 points from 17 games, ahead of MWOS (34).
Zimbabwean football is littered with incidents of players attacking match officials.
PSL has previously banned players from Masvingo United for the same offence in 2002, as well as players from Black Rhinos women’s side for assaulting a fellow female referee in 2014.
Same year, a first division match between Masvingo and Buffaloes was abandoned after a player from the former headbutted the referee.
In 2016, players from the Technosphere and Victoria Falls Tigers in the same division were banned after their players attacked referees.
– CAJ News