Highlanders have written to the Premier Soccer League
demanding to be awarded their penalty appeal from their Castle Lager
Premiership fixture against Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium last Sunday.
In accordance to Section 30.1.2.3 of the PSL’s Rules and
Regulations, the complaint was addressed to PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele
by Highlanders’ head of secretariat Nhlanhla Dube “registering an official complaint
regarding the conduct of match referee, Arnold Ncube and his assistants”.
Highlanders’ complaint appears to have been triggered by a
shocking decision by Zifa president Phillip Chiyangwa who seems to have made a
“solo” ruling as he overturned a red card shown to Dynamos striker, Christian
Epoupa Ntouba in the Sunday clash.
In a statement issued on Monday, Chiyangwa claimed to have
agreed with members of the Zimbabwe Referees’ Committee (ZRC) and faceless
“several important football stakeholders” to nullify Epoupa’s red card.
The unprecedented ruling prompted the Bulawayo giants to
appeal to the PSL stating their own grievances concerning match officiating
during the tie.
“We are fully cognisant of the decision by the Zifa
referees’ committee to set aside the red card shown to Dynamos’ Christian
Epoupa Ntouba during the game in question and note the expedient consideration
applied in this instance,” wrote Dube.
Highlanders’ chief executive officer Nhlanhla Dube
Highlanders’ chief executive officer Nhlanhla Dube
Dated 12 September, 2017, the letter makes a list of
demands top of which is a penalty appeal that was not given by referee Ncube,
but earned Godfrey Makaruse a yellow card.
Highlanders highlighted that they are prepared to travel to
Harare just to take the penalty kick.
They pleaded to the powers to “expeditiously” consider
their complaint and review.
“Award our team a penalty for the incident against Godfrey
Makaruse, which penalty we will be willing to travel to Harare and take,”
Highlanders wrote.
In their letter, Highlanders suggested that Dynamos’ goal
by Epoupa scored from “an offside position” be scrapped.
Highlanders challenged the authorities to caution Dynamos’
technical bench who they accused of interfering with their play by twice
throwing the ball into the field when Bosso approached DeMbare’s box.
They also want Masvingo-based referee Ncube and his
assistants reprimanded and suspended from taking charge of PSL games for the
rest of the season.
In conclusion, Highlanders said: “Finally confirm the
obvious conclusion that our club is therefore the winner of the said match.”
Meanwhile, the PSL technically rendered invalid the move by
Zifa to nullify Epoupa’s red card saying the referee’s decision is final.
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