Sports Writer
THE ZRP has revealed that nearly 5000 people were stranded outside Chahwanda stadium on Sunday after failing to gain access for the Hardrock and Dynamos match.
The match was abandoned shortly after the home side was awarded a penalty for a handling offence.
Striker, Wilfred Madzungu scored from the spot but the match could not last the distance as crowd disturbances forced an abandonment.
In a statement on Monday evening, the ZRP stated that the huge number of fans who could not gain access may have triggered the violence.
Police further pin point the agitated fans as part of the group that vandalized parts of the facility before kick off.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating the circumstances which led to nearly 5000 soccer fans remaining outside the stadium during the time the match started with some of them later on damaging infrastructure and gaining entrance into the stadium. The fans contributed to the violence scenes inside the stadium,” reads part of the statement.
According to the police poor gate management was a major cause of the chaos.
They urged the Premier Soccer League to engage in pre ticket sales to avoid similar incidents in the future.
“The police urges soccer authorities to ensure stadium seating capacity is not
exceeded and tickets are pre-sold before the match to curtail stampede such as the one witnessed before the match at Chihwanda stadium,”added the statement.
Four arrested
At least seven people were injured during the clashes and were admitted at Kwekwe General Hospital where they are reported to be in a stable condition.
Four people have so far been arrested in connection with the disturbances, they have been identified as Shingirai Chivavare (34), Matthias Taderera (43), Tavakuda Nyoni (46) and Emmanuel Dube(50).
Hardrock chairperson Wellington Mpandare has revealed that the club is investigating circumstances into the alleged involvement of CEO Kudzanai Hove in the violence.
Hove is suspected to be the man captured in a viral video stamping the head of a Dynamos supporter.
