The curtain came down on the Eastern Region Division 1 on a rather bad note as a ZRP cop who is a Masvingo FC player only identified as Dadzani decided to employ his hands in the field of play against the referee as result injuring him in the chest on Sunday at Mucheke stadium where they were hosted by Masvingo United (Una Una).
What started as a good family day for Masvingo soccer enthusiasts degenerated into a horror movie when Dadzani who had earned a red card just after half time when he lunged his studs into Josiah Chekacheke’s left leg leaving the referee with no option except to give a red card to the player who had already earned himself a yellow card for rough play.
The red card did not go down well with Dadzani as he charged towards referee Zebediah Chitiga hailing unprintable words and plunging into him at the chest so hard creating a bloody bruise. Cowing down to the intimidation, the referee was seen altering his decision: At first the referee granted Una Una a penalty but changed his mind after the confrontation by Dadzani to a free kick.
Dadzani’s behaviour was roundly condemned by soccer fans who had come to watch the derby which was expected to be a thriller as both teams are in the top half of the log.
“This behaviour is unacceptable in this day and age, the referee was clearly intimidated into changing his decision from a penalty to a free kick, it is unprofessional at all” said Una Una gaffer Joannies Nhumwa
Chitiga had no kind words for Dadzani, “I am shocked by this behaviour worse still coming from a police team who are supposed to be the custodians of discipline.”
The ZRP coach only identified as Chishiri refused to talk to the media and referred all questions to the ZRP spokesperson.
“We are yet to receive a report of the match, more so it is not our responsibility to discipline soccer players we leave it to ZIFA as the administrators of the game,” said Masvingo acting spokesperson assistant inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa.
“I am yet to receive the report from the match commissioner for me to be able to comment,” said the ZIFA eastern region manager, Tadius Machawira when approached for a comment.
The match ended 1-1. -Mirror