PSL threatened with another pull-out
THE Premier Soccer League has, for the second time in three days, been thrown into disarray after one of its clubs, Nichrut, threatened to pull out because of the punishment meted out by the authorities.
The débutantes were yesterday slapped with a $4 000 fine by the league for crowd trouble that rocked their match against CAPS United at Ascot.
On Friday, Prophet Walter Magaya told The Saturday Herald he was pulling out of sponsoring Yadah Stars after the club was forced to fulfil a league assignment without three key players.
Leeroy Mavunga and Jimmy Dzingai are with Warriors in South Africa and Byron Madzokere was injured while in camp with the senior national team.
Yadah’s trip to Bulawayo at the weekend was bankrolled by some fans, but it remains to be seen how long the supporters can continue to foot the expenses.
Nichrut have toiled to meet their obligations in the top-flight and a further burden on their wallet is likely to cripple them.
Club president Nicholas Gara yesterday told The Herald they do not have the capacity to pay the fine, which is due next month, saying he will be left with no option, but to pull out.
“As you could be aware, the major problem afflicting the Zimbabwean game is lack of financial resources and we (sponsors) are struggling to keep these teams afloat and continue to fulfil fixtures.
“It is a situation which we think the authority (PSL) is aware of and I think they should be seen to be taking a proactive role and helping in lessening the burden on us.
“Now, the issue is, as a club and society in general, we can never condone violence, but surely the PSL cannot be seen to literally kill this club through corrective punishment.
“There should be other ways to discipline us that will leave the club in a situation where they continue to play in the league.
“I am afraid if they choose that route we will be left with no option, but to fold,” said Gara.
Premiership clubs have over the years complained about the exorbitant penalty fees charged by PSL which at times outweigh what they get from the league’s sponsorship deals.
CAPS United complained bitterly that a fifth of their winnings for their success in the league championship in 2016, about $20 000 of the $100 000, went towards settlement of their fines.