HARARE – The Premier Soccer League has awarded Dynamos three points in their abandoned match with Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium on September 10 due to crowd trouble.
Both clubs were also handed fines, while Highlanders defender and vice captain Peter Muduhwa was banned for four matches and fined US$500.
Highlanders, who were found guilty by a PSL disciplinary committee for failing to control their fans, were hit with a US$5,000 fine while Dynamos – whose fans also went onto the pitch to confront Highlanders supporters – were handed a US$3,500 penalty.
The two clubs must pay the penalties by October 17. Each club had US$500 suspended from the fine on condition they are not found guilty of similar conduct until the end of the season.
Muduhwa was accused of “failing to protect match officials against acts or attempted acts of violence,” this after he allegedly instructed Highlanders marshals not to open the match officials’ changing room as they ran from Highlanders fans who had invaded the pitch.
The match referee Allan Bhasvi, in a report to the PSL, said: “As we got into the dressing room entrance, Highlanders player number 21, Muduhwa Peter, stopped us from entering the dressing room shouting: “Lingabavuleli, batshiyeni betshaywe (Don’t open for them, leave them to get beaten).”
Muduhwa had denied the charge after attending the hearing in the company of club vice chairman Sifiso Siziba and Oppah Mpofu.
Dynamos, who were the home team, were leading 2-0 after 36 minutes when – during an injury stoppage so that Highlanders player Mckinnon Mushore could be attended to – fans in the Soweto stand went onto the pitch while throwing missiles. Their fury was directed at the referee for failing to award their side a penalty moments earlier.
Dynamos have been awarded the match on a 3-0 score.
At the hearing in front of a disciplinary committee chaired by Doreen Gapare with members Wellington Magaya and Ralph Tsivama, Highlanders accused Dynamos of failing to provide enough security.
