The highly anticipated match between Dynamos and Highlanders at Barbourfields was called off owing to crowd disturbances that led to injury of several people.
The match, which Dynamos led 2-0, was plagued by hot tempers, which eventually led to police intervention and the game’s cancellation.
Highlanders striker Mckinnon Mushore was brought down in the box by a challenge, but the referee did not award a penalty and this sparked the trouble.
This judgement outraged Highlanders fans, who saw it as a blatant foul.
When play resumed and another incident involving Elsharma Farasi, who looked to be hauled down just outside the box, the supporters’ rage erupted.
The referee let the game play on, prompting Highlanders fans to protest by tossing plastic bottles and other objects onto the ground.
The situation worsened as spectators flooded the ground, engaging in running skirmishes with police.
Despite their efforts to calm the scene, the police and marshals were outnumbered and forced to retire many times.
During the fights, one police officer and one Dynamos supporter were hurt. The Premier Soccer League allows for 30 minutes of non-footballing events, but the crowd unrest exceeded that limit, prompting the referee to call the game off.
The chaos continued even outside the stadium, with reports of a Zanu PF vehicle having its windows smashed and the police using teargas to disperse the crowds.
Watch:
Is this not a penalty?This is the incident that triggered everything. Dembare was by far the better team but these refs ruin our game every time pic.twitter.com/mh7ngkeIYJ
— Beki (@bekithembas) September 10, 2023
Some soccer lovers believe that there was no foul in the first place and that Highlanders fans’ violence was uncalled for. Below are some comments after review of the footage.
Phil Bvigwa Sibanda 🇿🇼🇺🇸@drSibandaPhil23
I don’t watch or support Zimbabwean soccer teams. But that’s not a penalty. Highlanders strike choreographed that move. He wasn’t touched by the defender. NO PENALTY THERE!!!!
Bruce@Bruce28483422
No contact with either ball or man. No Penalty.
Zwide Senzangakhona@fyodor_Dostoy_
Watch slowly, no contact there! Don’t perpetuate victim mentality and use it as a ruse to justify hooliganism
Dr Grasian Mkodzongi@Hondo1973
A referee is like a judge he does not make decisions based on emotions. He can not make decisions to make you happy
The Equaizər^@mabha_rani
That’s a clear penalty ref akanganisa apo, but that doesn’t justify hooligalism
