The Sunday News
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS Football Club are headed for a nasty clash with the Premier Soccer League after the Harare giants vowed not to comply with the league’s decision to withdraw their welfare manager Richard Chihoro’s accreditation while waiting for a hearing.
The PSL summoned Chihoro for a hearing set for 5 April at the league’s offices following an act of misconduct during DeMbare’s opening match of the season against Hwange at Barbourfields Stadium last Saturday.
With the two teams deadlocked 0-0 at half-time, Chihoro stormed onto the pitch carrying a water bottle, went on to pour some liquid at the Mpilo End goal that the Glamour Boys were to attack in the second-half.
The DeMbare technical official, not new to controversy, was seen sprinkling some white stuff at the goal, in an alleged juju act meant to “unlock” the Hwange goal after his team had missed glorious first-half opportunities on the other side.
Dynamos went on to win the encounter 1-0 through a Tinashe Makanda strike. In summoning Chihoro, the PSL said the Dynamos official must not be allowed anywhere near the team bus, changing rooms or to sit in the technical area during league matches until the matter has been finalised.
This means that Chihoro, who is being charged for breaching Order 31 of the PSL Rules and Regulations must watch the action from the terraces when DeMbare plays host to league newcomers Sheasham at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
According to the PSL, the Dynamos manager, who is not new to controversy having been fined US$2 000 for causing skirmishes at Barbourfields Stadium in last season’s clash with Bulawayo Chiefs, will also miss next weekend’s game against Simba Bhora.
However, Dynamos were bullish in their response, firing a salvo at the PSL secretariat, saying Chihoro will continue with his duties. DeMbare, in the statement released on Friday contend: “That PSL secretariat did not act professionally in handling the matter as they rushed to the media before serving the accused with the summons per standard practice. That PSL secretariat wilfully usurped the powers of the judicial bodies of football by ordering that Mr Chihoro’s accreditation be withdrawn and that he be nowhere near the team bus, technical dug out and changing rooms until the matter was finalised. Such an order must come from a competent judicial body and not the secretariat. Mr Chihoro remains an employee of Dynamos Football Club and he will be expected to carry out his duties as per his contract with the club until such a time that a judicial determination makes such pronouncement.”
“Dynamos Football Club shall not comply with unlawful instructions coming from officers of the league.”
Chihoro is being charged for breaching Order 31 of the PSL Rules and Regulations which makes it an act of misconduct on the part of a player, official, servants or duly authorized (express or implied) representatives of a club who;
“31.2.16 Commits any act or makes any statement, either orally or in writing or has been responsible for conduct which is considered ungentlemanly, insulting or improper behaviour, or likely to bring the game, sponsors, any member, the League, ZIFA, CAF or FIFA into disrepute.
“31.2.17 Behaves in a manner which brings the League or any of its sponsors into disrepute or endangers the welfare of the League.”
Meanwhile, Dynamos have also been summoned to appear before the PSL’s disciplinary committee to answer to charges of pitch invasion and missile throwing in their clash against Hwange. A Dynamos fan invaded the pitch at the start of the second half and grabbed a white towel belonging to Hwange goalkeeper Nedrick Madeya, which was burnt afterwards. Just like Chihoro, Dynamos will face the music on 5 April.
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