The Footballers Union of Zimbabwe has called on clubs to put more effort in educating their fans to desist from violent tendencies.
 
Speaking in the aftermath of the hooliganism by Highlanders fans following their team’s draw against Chicken Inn, Footballers Union of Zimbabwe vice president Hebert Dick said clubs should take some initiatives to educate their fans on the dangers of violence to players and to the repute of football in general.
 
Dick said it is disheartening that clubs are not doing much when their fans are attacking players from rival teams by either throwing missiles or singing derogatory tribal songs.
 
“Fans should know where to end. They must not be allowed to violate players by storming into the field of play. Taunting is allowed but it should have limits not to be derogatory like what we witness at some matches,” said Dick.
 
 “We don’t condone what happened at Barbourfields stadium at the weekend. Most of the players are not insured, imagine what could have been the situation if some of the players were injured in that violence. It’s fortunate no player was injured but such kind of situations jeopardizes careers of players.”
 
“Perpetrators of violence at stadiums should receive length jail sentences so that they serve as an example to others who are fond of being violent at soccer matches.”
 
The Footballers Union of Zimbabwe also lamented the treatment some retired players are getting from clubs.
 
“As serving and former players, we are the owners of the game. It’s us who bring entertainment to the stadiums but the way some of our members are treated is deplorable. Some former players are being denied entry into stadiums to watch matches despite their immense contributions to develop the sport in the country,” lamented Dick.