We agreed on 80 police officers, 35 security guards, 90 marshals for the big match, says PSL CEO… But, did we have 80 police officers at the stadium?

The Premier Soccer League say they agreed with Hardrock to have 80 police officers, 35 private security guards and 90 marshals during their showdown with Dynamos at Chahwanda Stadium on Sunday.

 

The match was abandoned because of crowd trouble. There are reports that there were only about 20 police officers at the stadium as the home club cut the numbers to avoid costs.

 

No comment could be obtained from Hardrock last night to confirm that position.

 

PSL CEO Rodwell Thabe said:

 

“We are also engaging police to hear their side of the story. Eighty was the agreed number because it was a high-profile game.

 

“For such games like the Harare Derby between CAPS and Dynamos we had 80, which is a norm, but at Barbourfields Stadium, for such a game, we go up to 100.”

 

Referee Mhaka Magara was forced to call off the match after rival fans fought in terraces and on the pitch. Several people were injured in the skirmishes as violence reared its ugly head in the domestic game.

 

A ball boy was hit by a missile.

 

Thabe said all protocols had been laid bare following a pre-match meeting, which was held a day before the match.

 

In attendance was the PSL represented by a compliance officer, the police, the Hardrock chief security officer, club treasurer, club administrator and chief cashiers.

 

“The pre-match meeting was held, which is a routine thing for all our members ahead of matches.

 

“A number of recommendations were adapted for the Sunday match,” said Thabe. The deployment plan was as follows – 80 police details were to be at the stadium, 22 cashiers and gates in place, 35 private security guards, 90 marshals, two compliance officers, four chief cashiers with rest of ground fans paying US$5, grand stand US$10, VIP US$30 and VVIP TRIBUNE US$50.

 

When the Zimpapers Sports Hub arrived at the stadium, twenty minutes before the scheduled kick-off, thousands of fans were trapped in queues that moved slowly and there were complaints at the speed at which people were being cleared into the stadium. The marshals were missing in action with fans taking turns to taunt each other by entering the field from the terraces before the match, which is not allowed. Both sets of supporters protested the other’s pitch invasion and the police or the marshals did not intervene.

 

The PSL, sensing trouble, then recommended a 20-minute delay of kick-off to avoid a stampede. Some fans jumped over the wall. Ironically, similar challenges were experienced when Scottland came to Chahwanda for the first game of the season and many fans ended up returning home in frustration.

 

It appears nothing was learnt from that experience. The hosts made it 1-1 in the 68th after Shadreck Nyahwa’s hand appeared to have been hit by the ball as he fell to the ground only for the referee to point to the spot.

 

Similar incidents are not punished in other leagues because they say the defender’s movement was natural because there was no way he would not have used his hands while going down.

 

“We have been made to believe that some arrests have been made and police will make more arrests through video and photographic evidence,” said Thabe.

 

Hardrock chairman, Wellington Mpandare, visited a fan in hospital.

 

Dynamos leaders also visited their fans, who are in hospital. “Hospital authorities said 12 fans were treated and discharged with one left in a private ward and being attended to. “His life is not in danger from what we were told.

 

“We are going to review all available footage and ensure the matter is resolved as soon as possible,” said Thabe. *_-H-Metro_*