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Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
IT just keeps getting worse for troubled Premiership giants Highlanders.
Just as they grapple with a shocking loss of form and an internal crisis triggered by jockeying for positions on the club’s executive in elections that are due for early next year, Highlanders were yesterday slapped with a US$3 000 fine by the Premier Soccer League disciplinary committee for the violence that characterised the end of their encounter against ZPC Kariba at Hartsfield on September 28.

The penalty comes during a turbulent period for Bosso in which their fortunes have continued to nosedive despite the sacking of Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu amid revelations that much of the focus at the club has now been diverted towards the off-field jockeying and campaigning for elections. There have been indications that opinion is sharply divided in the Bosso family with some calling for the return of former coach Rahman Gumbo and Ernest “Maphepha’’ Sibanda who was team manager when Gumbo led Highlanders to championship glory.

Highlanders’ woes have, however, drawn deep worry from the chairman of their biggest rivals Kenny Mubaiwa who yesterday reckoned that his club was concerned that the problems at Bosso would impact negatively on the competitiveness of the Premiership.

Mubaiwa said Dynamos had experienced the kind of problems Bosso were facing, but had learnt that “rushing to fire the coach is not always the best possible solution’’.

“Although we are rivals on the pitch, I believe if Highlanders shared with us the challenge they are facing, they could tap into our experience and avoid some of the pitfalls they fall into.

“For me I don’t think I would enjoy a  weak Highlanders because that would affect the rest of the league. Highlanders are a big team that has a strong tradition and I would want a situation where they lose the game because the other team was better, but not because of some off field problems that could also affect the league.

“Football is an industry and we should learn to share some of the problems that affect our industry, unfortunately there is too much superstition in our football and thus we don’t take time to tackle the problems affecting our game. Today it’s Highlanders, yesterday it was CAPS United and tomorrow Dynamos yet some of the things can be avoided.”

Highlanders, who were represented at the hearing by their vice chairman Mgcini Mpofu, pleaded guilty to the offence in which they took responsibility for the behaviour of their fans whose missiles on the day in question were initially targeted at Kaindu and his players, but ended up also affecting ZPC Kariba players and match officials.

Highlanders’ guilty plea did not stop the PSL disciplinary committee chaired by Vusi Vuma and including Brighton Mudzamiri and Doreen Gapare from handing down the US$3 000 fine with the trio also citing Bosso’s constant failure to rein in on their supporters as one of the reasons for issuing a “deterrent penalty’’.

The PSL disciplinary committee, who also took into consideration a report by referee Arnold Ncube, however, suspended US$500 from the fine, but ordered that the effective fine of US$2 500 be paid by November 30.

“The allegations, as reported by Mr Arnold Ncube the match referee who handled the Highlanders versus ZPC Kariba match played at Hartsfield Stadium, Bulawayo on the 28th September 2014 were that:

“Just after the match, Highlanders supporters in black and white regalia started singing songs clamouring for Highlanders head coach (Kelvin Kaindu’s) head and the whole team. Just a few minutes later they started throwing stones and empty bottles to Highlanders, ZPC Kariba team players and officials and the referees who were at the centre of the field of play which resulted in two ZPC players Tawanda Nyamandwe (No 23,) and Tawanda Munyanduri (No 6) and the ball boy being struck by stones.

“In the process the substitute board was also struck while the fourth official was holding it. Riot police had to rush into the field of play to provide shield to both teams and the officials. The situation normalised after about 30 minutes as the Zimbabwe Republic Police details quickly intervened and had to use tear gas to clear the stadium,’’

“A fine of US$3 000, US$500 (five hundred dollars) of which is suspended for the rest of the season on condition, the club, its officials or its supporters are not convicted of any offence involving violence or the throwing of missiles. The effective fine of US$2 500 together with costs of hearing to be paid by the 30th November 2014,’’ read part of the judgment.

Mpofu had in mitigation argued that Bosso had also been victims of their own supporters’ anger as the missiles were also directed at Kaindu and his players.

“In mitigation Highlanders representative pleaded with the committee to take note that the club was also a victim because the attack was directed at its officials, the head coach as well as the team players. The club implored the responsible authority to assist in the identification of the culprits so that they would be prosecuted

“The club has been displaying anti-violence banners at its matches for the past three years, but it appears this is not bearing any fruits. Hartsfield ground is not a ground to host such a big club as Highlanders. The club has no choice but to use the stadium due to national demands. Stones are everywhere and this makes it easy for rowdy supporters to get missiles.

“In aggravation the prosecution implored the committee to take stern disciplinary action against the club. Highlanders’ disciplinary record leaves a lot to be desired and yet as the oldest club, they must lead by example.

“During the day in question property was damaged and there were injuries to players as well as a ball boy. In arriving at the appropriate sentence, the committee took into account the fact that the club pleaded guilty. They will pay for the damaged property.

“They have tried to educate their supporters about the dangers of violence. However, we condemn in the strongest terms any acts of violence. Soccer is just a sport, a unifier, a family game, where people are free to interact and watch the game. It is not a war zone, where missiles are fired indiscriminately, without any due consequences. Violence in whatever form is just barbaric. The Police must apprehend all perpetrators and make them pay dearly.

“As a committee we will not hesitate to ban them from soccer for life if caught and brought before us. Whatever grievances they might have, supporters must learn to follow the correct channels to air them and not vent their anger on innocent souls. The suspended sentence will act as a deterrent and ensure the club does not commit a similar offence. We are as usual guided by the standing orders and the principle of uniformity and consistency in dealing with such cases. We advise accordingly,’’ the committee said.