Highlanders football club has expressed disappointed over the move by the PSL Disciplinary Committee to award their abandoned match to Dynamos on Monday and say they will appeal against the judgement.

The PSL Disciplinary Committee awarded the match which was abandoned on May 14 at Barbourfields to DeMbare on a 3-0 score line. They found the Bulawayo giants guilty and fined them $4 000. Above that the club is also expected to bear the costs of the hearing with both fines expected to be paid by July 31.

The club is expecting to formally lodge their appeal to the ZIFA Appeals Committee this week.

The game between the two sides was abandoned in the 42nd following a hotly disputed Dynamos equaliser five minutes before the break when Cameroonian forward Christian Epoupa appeared to have scored from an offside position.

Second assistant referee Thomas Kusosa was mobbed by riled Highlanders players after he allowed play to continue despite suspicion of an offside.

What then followed was a barrage of missiles from the Highlanders fans at the Eastern Stand popularly known as Empankweni.

Highlanders officials and the police tried to intervene, but the fans would have none of it as they continued to pelt Kusosa, who fled to the centre circle for safety and the match was eventually called off.

Highlanders chairman Modern Ngwenya said the judgement was “too severe”. He added that the fine was also exorbitant and would also be appealing for the reduction of the fine.

The chairman said the only fair and acceptable judgement to both parties would be a replay from the 42nd minute with both teams tied on 1-1 draw.

“Obviously it is a sad day for us. 

“I don’t think anyone would have wanted the match to be won in the boardroom.

“The judgement is too severe.

“It’s natural that we are going to appeal to the ZIFA Appeals Committee. We want this game to be finalised on the field of play.

“We are obviously pushing for a replay from the 42 minute. That would be the fairest thing to do,” said Ngwenya.

Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa was happy with the outcome of the hearing.

“We welcome the judgement. It is a good thing for us because we were inconvenienced in that match and this will deter fans to take matters into their own hands and behave in such a manner when decisions don’t go their way.

“We welcome the three points and they will leave us in a better position,” said Mutasa.