Xmas cheer for Bosso, DeMbare

Sport
DYNAMOS and Highlanders have received a an early Christmas present from the PSL after the board decided they will not deduct fines from their prize monies

DYNAMOS and Highlanders have received a an early Christmas present from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after the board decided they will not deduct fines from their prize monies provided clubs present payment plans.

RONALD MOYO SPORTS REPORTER

The league champions had been the most affected mostly by the fans’ behaviour as they accrued fines of $78 700 — $8 700 more than the prize money they will receive today for winning their 20th league title. Highlanders, who finished second, were fined $36 000 for various offences also involving their fans and would have received $14 000 from their $50 000 prize money.

PSL chief executive Kennedy Ndebele said the clubs would be given their prize monies on condition that they produced payment plans for the penalties after a request by both Dynamos and Highlanders to write off the debts.

Ndebele said PSL had received the money from the league sponsors and clubs were going to get their dues anytime from today. He confirmed that players who won individual awards would also get their dues.

“We have received the money from the sponsors and clubs should expect their league monies anytime from Tuesday (today). After sitting as a board we decided that those clubs hit by disciplinary fines have to produce payment plans and pay in instalments instead of the PSL deducting the money from their prize monies. Players who won individual awards will also receive their money,” Ndebele said on the sidelines of a charity event in Bulawayo on Sunday.

He, however, said the deal between the PSL and the clubs would be made on condition that clubs brought their first instalments with the payment plans to show that they were committed to settle their dues.

In recent years, the PSL has been deducting money owed to them by the clubs from the season-end prize monies.

“This (approval of payment plans) will be done on condition that clubs bring their payment plans with their first instalments so that we see that they are willing to pay and their proposal is genuine,” Ndebele said. Dynamos were the worst affected by fines mostly from pitch invasions and missile throwing by their supporters.

According to the standing orders and rules, missile throwing or pitch invasion attracts a fine of $8 000 per incident.

Dynamos fans are said to have thrown missiles onto the Rufaro Stadium pitch during their PSL match against Highlanders in April which ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

They are alleged to have done the same at Luveve Stadium on July 6 where they lost 0-1 to How Mine.

At the Colliery Stadium in Hwange where they suffered their heaviest defeat of the season losing 2-4 at the hands of Hwange in October, their fans are alleged to have thrown missiles.

Missiles were also alleged to have been thrown by their supporters in their goalless draw with Monomotapa and also in their 1-0 win over Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium on October 27. DeMbare fans are also reported to have invaded the pitch against Caps United and in their last game of the season against Black Mambas.

Dynamos need $50 000, as a matter of urgency, to play Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the preliminary round of the Caf Champions League and this is a timely boost for the champions after their principal sponsor BancABC said

they will not fund their African safari.

The bank, however, will sign new deals with Dynamos and Highlanders for the next three years, while newly-promoted Chapungu have already sealed a sponsorship package with BancEASY, a division of the bank.