PSL: Dynamos And ZIFA Have Not Yet Filed Complaint Over Eupopa Red Card

Zimbabwe’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) says it has not received a protest letter from Dynamos FC or communication from Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) regarding the expulsion of a Dynamos FC player during a PSL match between Dynamos FC and Highlanders FC at Rufaro Stadium last Sunday.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the PSL said it has only received the official match report from the referee, Arnold Ncube.

The statement read in part, “Please note that in terms of Order 30 of the PSL Rules and Regulations: 30.1 Any club involved in a match, may lodge a protest with the League in respect of any match played under the auspices of the League provided that a written protest accompanied by a protest fee of US$1,000 (One thousand dollars) is lodged with the General Secretariat of the League within 48 hours (forty eight) hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays) of the game

“… And the written protest referred to in order 30.1 above sets out the full facts on which it is based and refers to the Article and/or rule and regulation allegedly contravened by the offending party; and the protest is not made against the referee’s and/or assistant referee’s decision connected with play, such decisions being final.”

Eupopa was sent off with only three minutes of play left but ZIFA chairman, Phillip Chiyangwa, announced early Monday that the ZIFA Referees Committee had rescinded the referee’s decision.

In a message posted on Facebook, Chiyangwa said the decision followed “extensive deliberations with members of the referees’ committee and several important football stakeholders.”

The ZIFA boss was not reachable for comment.

His decision has attracted the ire of most followers and the Zimbabwean government, which described Chiyangwa’s announcement as bizarre as it was not made in the interest of soccer.