The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has issued a statement condemning the Barbourfields Stadium disturbances on Sunday and called on both Zifa and the Premier Soccer League to act decisively on the matter.

An explosive game before a sellout crowd ended prematurely in the 42nd minute when the match officials called it off after some Bosso fans, angered by DeMbare’s disputed equaliser, staged a rebellion and refused to let the assistant referee — whom they blamed for not spotting an offside leading to the goal — take his place on the line.

Acting SRC director-general Joseph Muchechetere said what happened was totally unacceptable in sport and football in particular as it scared away sponsors and potential sponsors.

“While the facts are still scanty, we want to place it on record that violence at football matches or any other sport cannot be tolerated as this negates the values and ethos of sport which promote friendship, among other values”, Muchechetere said.

He said as the regulator of sport in the country, they condemned what happened in the strongest possible terms.

“We would like to implore Zifa and PSL to get to the bottom of this unfortunate incident and take decisive action against those found on the wrong side of the law.

“This behaviour scares away sponsors and would-be sponsors and as the leader of the sport sector we cannot fold our arms and watch arms akimbo while hooliganism rears its ugly head. We shall be engaging both Zifa and PSL with a view to finding a lasting solution to the serious challenge which is threatening our sport,” said Muchechetere.

He called on fans to restrain themselves and respect the decision of the referees since the clubs have a way of seeking recourse if they feel aggrieved.

“Fans should not take the law into their hands; instead they should allow for due process to take effect. Once again on behalf of the sporting community, we would like to encourage all sport-loving fans to learn to tolerate and accept the referees’ decisions in the spirit of friendship,” he said.