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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CAPS United have threatened to banish rowdy supporters from their matches after the club was slapped with a US$2 500 fine for the ugly incidents of violence which followed their Premiership match against How Mine last month.
The Green Machine pleaded guilty to charges of violating order 31 of the Premier Soccer League rules and regulations after a section of their supporters besieged the dressing room demanding the resignation of head coach Taurai Mangwiro.

CAPS United were expected to pay the fine by close of business yesterday.

This is the second time Makepekepe have been found guilty of misconduct and have been ordered to pay an additional US$250 that had been suspended from another offence committed in a league match against Buffaloes in April.

“Fine of US$2 500, plus the suspended fine of US$250 which was suspended in the CAPS United vs. Buffaloes match is brought into effect,” a judgment by the Disciplinary Committee said.

“The effective fine of US$2 750, together with the costs of hearing, is to be paid by the 30th November 2014.

“In arriving at the appropriate sentence we took into account facts in favour of CAPS United Football Club. The club did not waste our time by pleading guilty.

“The Club has already identified the supporters involved and have already taken action against these rowdy supporters .The Club has also promised to have the supporters stopped from attending its matches in future should they be involved again in acts of violence.

“In aggravation it was noted that, this is the second time that CAPS United appeared before this committee facing similar charges and that a punitive fine had to be imposed.”

The referee mentioned in his report that supporters in green-and-white regalia thronged the dressing room clamouring for the coach’s head.

CAPS United team marshals then beat some of these supporters and the situation was only brought under control when the Zimbabwe Republic Police intervened.

Giants Highlanders and Dynamos were penalised for similar offences last month.

DeMbare were fined US$4 000 after their supporters rained missiles onto the pitch during their 1-0 defeat to Black Rhinos in the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup.

Highlanders were were fined US$2 000 for their supporters’ violent conduct after the game against Dynamos and US$3 000 for their wild behaviour after their loss to ZPC Kariba.

The Disciplinary Committee said they might force clubs to play before empty stadiums in the future.