THE image of a Highlanders fan holding a placard describing Shona people as “dogs” during the high profile league clash against Dynamos on Sunday, has caught the attention of government.

The Minister of Sports and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane slammed the behavior of Highlanders fans Tuesday afternoon and called upon ZIFA and the Premier Soccer League to take action against “malcontents who bring the game of football into disrepute.”

“The Minister of Sports and Recreation is shocked and alarmed by the use of derogatory, pejorative, dehumanizing and inflammatory language by some Highlanders fans during that club’s match against Dynamos at Barbourfields last Sunday.

“The Minister condemns such primitive sentiments bordering on ethnic particularization in sport and recreation as a whole, and football in particular.

“As Government, we believe that sport and recreation calls us to celebrate identity pluralism, in constructing tolerant national belonging,” read part of Hlongwane’s statement.

The controversial image was captured by Zvishavane based Zimpapers photographer Paul Mundandi during the blockbuster clash that ended 2-1 in favour of Highlanders who completed a rare league double over their eternal rivals Dynamos.

Masimba Mambare scored for DeMbare after 28 minutes of play before the Harare side crumbled inside three minutes after 70th minute and conceded twice against Tendai Ndlovu and veteran striker Ralph Matema.