HARARE – Northern Region Division One club Scottland’s quest for promotion to the Premier Soccer League received a major boost today after they were awarded three points for their abandoned match against Karoi United last month. They are now two points behind leaders Mwos.
The match was abandoned with 10 minutes remaining after Karoi supporters engaged in violence, attacking the referee, Scottland’s technical team, and players.
Scottland were awarded the match with a 3-0 scoreline. With six games remaining, the club believes they can still claim the title and earn promotion to the Premier League.
A Scottland official said: “It’s game on. We will fight to make sure we get promotion and pray that our rivals slip up. We want to win our remaining six matches.”
Last week, log leaders Mwos were also awarded three points for their abandoned match against Shamva.
The match commissioner for the Scottland vs. Karoi encounter, Kanzvimbo Kanzvimbo, submitted a report identifying Karoi as the aggressors who caused the match to be abandoned.
“The home team, Karoi United FC, were already in their changing room. The away team, Scottland FC officials, arrived at 13:30 hrs and were welcomed nicely; their cars were allocated secure parking areas. At 14:10, the Scottland FC team bus arrived and the gates were immediately locked,” his report stated.
“Commotion between home and away team officials started; some were exchanging blows. I had to intervene with the help of police to ensure the away team bus entered safely.
“As I was taking my seat, Karoi United fans pelted me with empty beverage bottles, threatening to manhandle me if Karoi United lost the match. Missiles were also thrown at Scottland FC’s technical bench, prompting a police officer with a dog to be deployed behind them.
“Karoi United goalkeeper (Monze) began feigning injuries, delaying the restart of play. He was verbally warned several times, and at 82 minutes, referee (Dingo) went to caution him for the same offense. During that process, Karoi United supporters behind the goals threw missiles at him, and he fell. Police and medical teams entered the field to assist him.”
“The referees had to retreat to the changing rooms for safety and further treatment. Karoi United fans advanced and surrounded the changing room, demanding that the officials be released. I was sprinkled with unknown liquid substances as I moved in and out of the changing rooms to check on the safety of the players.”
