By Sports writer
ZIMBABWEAN football giants, Highlanders and Dynamos on Friday issued a joint statement in which they condemned Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman,Farai Jere for comments he made in the media, which the clubs described as ‘having potential to damage’ their reputations.
Earlier this week, Jere addressed journalists appearing to suggest that the PSL deliberately scheduled the clash between Highlanders and Dynamos on the opening day of the season to avoid crowd trouble.
Matches pitting the two sides have over the past seasons been marred by violence. Last season, the same fixture at Babourfields was abandoned in the first half due to crowd trouble with Dembare leading 2-0.
“That was a deliberate move, we want to exorcise that ghost of having violence at Babourfields every time Dynamos play Highlanders, if that happens we are going to fine the clubs heavily,” he said.
But the two traditional giants of Zimbabwean football have not taken kindly to Jere’s words, issuing a scathing response to the PSL boss.
“Dynamos and Highlanders jointly condemn the inflammatory remarks made by the Premier Soccer League chairman, Mr Farai Jere regarding our clubs.His characterization of Highlanders and Dynamos as violent teams is not only reckless but also deeply concerning,” read the statement.
“Such allegations have the potential to damage’ the reputation and integrity of our esteemed clubs,as well as the spirit of fair play in Zimbabwean football.”
The clubs further said that they, “categorically reject Mr Jere’s remarks and call for them to be unequivocally condemned.”
Many soccer fans in the country questioned the wisdom of having the biggest fixture in the country on the opening day of the football season.
And after Jere’s utterances, the two clubs also questioned the sincerity of the PSL in upholding fairness in local football.
“We express disappointment with the utterances by Mr Jere that our match day one fixture was deliberately ‘fixed’,a decision that goes against the principles of fairness and equality.”
