The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) match pitting Highlanders and Yadah will go on as scheduled at Barbourfields Stadium as police have guaranteed security for all league games right round the country.
Yadah, through its lawyers, approached the PSL during the week seeking to have their away game against the Bulawayo giants played at a neutral venue after the violence at BF last week that left police details and civilians injured.
The Dynamos and Highlanders match was abandoned at 37 minutes due to crowd trouble with the Glamour Boys leading 2-0 and Yadah feared for its fans and stakeholders and sought a different venue.
PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele yesterday said the match will be played at BF as previously communicated.
“We have responded to Yadah’s lawyers and as far as we are concerned, the fixture remains as scheduled but we appeal to fans and all stakeholders to attend football. Football is a family sport meant to unite. We condemn violence and fans must come to watch football without invading the pitch and without throwing missiles. We met with the police commanders on Wednesday and they have assured us of adequate security at all PSL matches. We have requested the police to be strict in searching for potential missiles and only those vendors authorised by the owners of the stadia will be allowed to operate. Those people who feel they have an appetite to be hooligans and cause violenceshould be nowhere near our stadia,” Ndebele said.
Close to 20 people linked to the BF violence have been arrested and were denied bail by the magistrates court as investigations continue.
Highlanders need nothing less of a win against Yadah as they fight to be back on top of the log after two defeats to FC Platinum and Chicken Inn and the abandoned match against Dynamos where they were trailing 2-0.
Source Newsday
