The Zimbabwe Football Association’s (ZIFA) Appeals Committee will meet on Thursday this week to review the case between Karoi United and Scottland FC.
Karoi United is appealing a decision by the ZIFA Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) to award Scottland FC a 3-0 win from their abandoned match on September 15.
The match was called off in the 88th minute with the score tied at 1-1 after referee Mathew Dingo was reportedly hit by a missile and could not continue.
The NRSL charged Karoi United with causing the abandonment and awarded Scottland FC three points, which moved them to the top of the league.
Scottland FC secured the top spot in the NRSL with 87 points after a 3-1 win over Black Mambas on Friday, finishing two points ahead of second-placed MWOS.
ZIFA chief executive officer Yvonne Manwa formally acknowledged Karoi United’s appeal and notified them of the scheduled hearing. She wrote:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Football Association would like to inform you that your matter has been duly noted.
The Appeals Committee is provisionally scheduled to sit on the 14th of November at 11am.
Should you wish to submit any further materials, please do so before the set date. We have also written to the Northern Region requesting the record of proceedings.
</blockquote>
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ZIFA will talk about Karoi United's problem with Scottland FC. There was an issue in their match which got stopped. Karoi United didn't agree with the league's decision to give Scottland FC a win. Scottland FC got to the top of the league because of this decision. Now the top spot is important because the league is almost finished. ZIFA will listen to both teams and decide who is right. They will look at all the information and make a fair decision. Karoi United hopes the decision will be in their favor.

ZIFA To Deliberate On Karoi United’s Appeal

Karoi United, a team in the Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL), have formally appealed the ruling that found them responsible for the abandonment of their match against Scottland.
ZIFA Chief Executive Officer Yvonne Manwa confirmed to <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/karoi-utd-appeal-against-nrsl-judgment/">H-Metro</a> that Karoi United had submitted the required US$5,000 appeal fee to the football association. ZIFA is now expected to schedule a hearing once all the necessary documentation has been processed.
The appeal will temporarily halt the celebratory atmosphere in the Scottland camp as they approach the final day of the NRSL championship race on Friday.
The NRSL disciplinary committee had ruled on Monday that Karoi United were at fault for the abandonment of their match against Scottland at Chikangwe, which had been tied 1-1 at the time.
Scottland, owned by ZANU PF MP Pedzai Sakupwanya, climbed to the top of the NRSL after being awarded a 3-0 victory over Karoi United for an abandoned match.
With this decision, Scottland now holds 84 points from 37 games, leading MWOS by two points, who have 82 points from the same number of matches.
Football stakeholders suspect corruption in handling the matter, given the departure from precedent in dealing with abandoned matches.
For example, in 2018, a match between Bindura United and Mushowani Stars was abandoned in the 80th minute at 2-2 after referee Langton Chitata was assaulted by an unknown assailant.
Bindura was fined US$1500, and Mushowani was cautioned, but the 2-2 result stood.
Similarly, in the following season, a Northern Region Soccer League match between Black Rhinos and Mushowani was abandoned in the 80th minute, also at 2-2, after referee Nelson Mawanda was assaulted.
Both Rhinos and Mushowani were fined US$2000, but the 2-2 result remained.
In contrast, for the Karoi United vs. Scottland match, the Disciplinary Committee cancelled the 1-1 scoreline and awarded Scottland the win, benefiting them with just one match left in the season and providing a clear advantage over MWOS.
Scottland will host Black Mambas at Rufaro Stadium, while MWOS will face Agama at Ngoni Stadium on Friday in the final round of fixtures.
MWOS can still secure the sole ticket to the Premier Soccer League if they win and Scottland draw, thanks to their superior goal difference of plus-3.
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Karoi United did not agree that they caused the match against Scottland to be abandoned. They paid $5,000 to appeal the decision. Scottland was declared winners of the match, which put them in first place in the league. People are questioning if there was corruption involved in the decision. In the past, other matches that were abandoned didn't end with one team being declared the winner like in this case. This decision gives Scottland an advantage in the league. The final matches of the season will determine who wins the league. MWOS could still win if Scottland doesn't win their last match.

Karoi United Challenges NRSL Verdict On Abandoned Scottland Match

Scottland Football Club, owned by ZANU PF MP Pedzai Sakupwanya, climbed to the top of the Northern Region Soccer League on Monday after being awarded a 3-0 victory over Karoi United for an abandoned match.
With this decision, Scottland now holds 84 points from 37 games, leading MWOS by two points, who have 82 points from the same number of matches.
The match between the two teams at Chikangwe Stadium in Karoi was abandoned in the 88th minute with the score tied at 1-1.
The Northern Region Soccer League Disciplinary Committee found Karoi United guilty of causing the match abandonment based on referee Martin Dingo’s report.
Allegedly, Dingo had opted to officiate the Division One fixture instead of a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match scheduled for the same weekend.
He reported being struck by a missile thrown by a Karoi United fan, preventing him from completing the final two minutes of the game.
Football stakeholders suspect corruption in handling the matter, given the departure from precedent in dealing with abandoned matches.
For example, in 2018, a match between Bindura United and Mushowani Stars was abandoned in the 80th minute at 2-2 after referee Langton Chitata was assaulted by an unknown assailant.
Bindura was fined US$1500, and Mushowani was cautioned, but the 2-2 result stood.
Similarly, in the following season, a Northern Region Soccer League match between Black Rhinos and Mushowani was abandoned in the 80th minute, also at 2-2, after referee Nelson Mawanda was assaulted. 
Both Rhinos and Mushowani were fined US$2000, but the 2-2 result remained.
In contrast, for the Karoi United vs. Scottland match, the Disciplinary Committee cancelled the 1-1 scoreline and awarded Scottland the win, benefiting them with just one match left in the season and providing a clear advantage over MWOS.
Scottland will host Black Mambas at Rufaro Stadium, while MWOS will face Agama at Ngoni Stadium on Friday in the final round of fixtures.
MWOS can still secure the sole ticket to the Premier Soccer League if they win and Scottland draw, thanks to their superior goal difference of plus-3.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Scottland Football Club got 3 points for a match that was stopped. They are now in first place with 84 points. MWOS has 82 points. The match was stopped because a player hit a referee. Some people think there was corruption in giving Scottland the win. In the past, other matches were stopped, but the scores stayed the same. Now Scottland has an advantage and might go to the Premier Soccer League. MWOS can still win if they do well in their last match.

Scottland Usurp MWOS After Being Awarded Full Points From Abandoned Match

The much-anticipated judgment regarding the abandoned match between Karoi United and Scottland was postponed on Wednesday after Karoi United requested additional time to submit a mitigation report, having been found guilty in the case.
The Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) Disciplinary Committee determined that Karoi United was responsible for the abandonment of their league match last month.
The match was stopped in the 82nd minute when referee Matthew Dingo reported experiencing pain in “one of his testicles” after being struck by a “hard object.” He also mentioned bleeding from the shin where he had been hit.
In a statement released yesterday, the NRSL assured that the judgment would be delivered no later than Monday. It said:
<blockquote>
In the disciplinary proceedings for the Northern Region for the abandoned match between Karoi United FC versus Scottland FC.
After delivery of the ruling on the guilty verdict of Karoi United FC, their lawyer requested time to submit mitigation in writing by the close of business on Friday, November 1.
The ruling on the penalty shall be delivered by the Disciplinary Committee by Monday, November 4 latest.
</blockquote>
Karoi United were charged with “Contravention of Section D2 (2.1) of the Northern Region Soccer League Rules and Regulations”.
The Disciplinary Committee is expected to award Scottland the three points on Monday, regardless of Karoi United’s mitigation.
Depending on the outcomes of tomorrow’s matches involving title-chasing MWOS FC and Scottland, the latter could rise to the top of the league standings.
Currently, MWOS holds a one-point lead, but if Scottland wins against Herentals Under-20, they will ascend to the top following the conclusion of their case against Karoi United.
If both teams win their remaining two matches of the season, Scottland will finish in first place with a two-point advantage.
Meanwhile, MWOS will no longer control their own fate and must rely on other teams to secure victories against Scottland.
Only one team from the Northern Region Soccer League will earn promotion to the Premier Soccer League for the 2025 season, making the competition all the more intense.
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The game between Karoi United and Scottland was paused because the referee was hurt. Karoi United was found guilty of causing the game to stop. They asked for more time before the punishment is decided. Scottland might get three points from the match. If Scottland wins their next games, they could be at the top of the league. Only one team will move up to the better league, making the games even more important. MWOS needs other teams to win to have a chance. The decision on the punishment will be made on Monday.

Karoi United's Appeal Delays Verdict On Abandoned Match Against Scottland

The long-awaited judgment in the case of the abandoned match between Karoi United and Scottland in the Northern Region Division One Soccer League will be released this Wednesday.
As reported by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/sport/article/200034281/scottland-learn-fate-as-long-wait-for-judgment-over">NewsDay</a>, the delivery of the verdict was postponed due to several issues, primarily the unavailability of Karoi United’s lawyer before the hearing.
After the hearing, delays occurred as all parties needed to be present for the announcement of the Disciplinary Committee’s determination, with lawyers insisting on their presence.
The judgment could significantly impact the league title race, as Scottland is in close competition with log leaders MWOS FC for promotion to the top flight.
The two teams are separated by just one point, and a favourable ruling for Scottland could elevate them to the top of the standings before the season’s final matches.
The match was abandoned while tied at 1-1, with referee Mathew Dingo claiming he was struck by an object thrown by a fan, preventing him from continuing the game with eight minutes remaining.
According to league rules, if a match is abandoned due to actions by a team’s players, officials, or fans, the other team is awarded a 3-0 victory.
Karoi United has not denied that a fan struck the referee but contends that he was hit by the match ball, not a foreign object as alleged.
The match was played on September 15, and the hearing was conducted last month.
Match commissioner Kanzvimbo Kanzvimbo reported that match officials were consistently threatened with violence throughout the game. Part of Kanzvimbo’s report reads:
<blockquote>
Karoi United goalkeeper (Monze) started feigning injuries, delaying the restart of play. He was verbally warned several times and at 82 minutes, the referee (Dingo) went to caution him for a similar offence (and) during that process, Karoi United supporters who were behind the goals threw missiles at him and he fell. Police and medical teams entered the field of play to assist him.
The referees had to go to the changing rooms for safety and further treatment. Karoi United fans advanced and surrounded the changing room demanding that they be released.
I was sprinkled with unknown liquid substances as I moved in and out of changing rooms to check on the safety of players.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The judgment for the abandoned match between Karoi United and Scottland will be given this Wednesday. The match was stopped because the referee was hit by something thrown by a fan. If Scottland wins the case, they may move to the top of the league. Karoi United says the referee was hit by the ball, not something else. The match was played in September, and there were reports of violence and threats during the game. The decision will be important for the league title race.

Verdict On Karoi United Vs Scottland Abandoned Match Imminent

Karoi United Football Club, a Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) team, has refuted allegations that its fans were involved in hooliganism leading to the abandonment of their match against Scottland at Chikangwe Stadium on Sunday.
Reports indicate that the game was called off following an alleged assault on referee Mathew Dingo by unruly spectators, a claim Karoi United vehemently denies.
Scottland, owned by ZANU PF Member of Parliament Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya, is competing for the title but is currently trailing behind log leaders MWOS.
In their statement, Karoi United suggested that 32-year-old Mathew Dingo may have “faked” an injury to justify the match’s abandonment in the 88th minute, with the score level at 1-1. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
Karoi United FC wishes to categorically dismiss the false reports circulating on social media alleging that our fans were involved in acts of violence during the match against Scotland FC at Chikangwe Stadium on Sunday, 15 September 2024.
These reports have left our club and supporters both shocked and dismayed, especially as they seem to be distorted to serve the unsporting motives of certain match officials.
These actions undermine the integrity of Karoi United FC and the entire Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL).
To clarify, there was no violence at Chikangwe Stadium. The incident in question involved a match ball that was thrown back into the field of play by a spectator, accidentally striking the centre referee.
The referee reacted by rolling on the ground, a reaction we believe to have been exaggerated to disrupt the match.
The referee’s subsequent claim that Karoi United supporters intentionally threw the ball at him is both unfounded and misleading.
We wish to make it clear that the ball merely went out of play and was returned to the field in the normal course of the game. Any suggestion that this was a deliberate act of violence is entirely false.
The referee’s exaggerated reaction-falling and rolling on the ground-was unwarranted given the circumstances.
Moreover, the referee’s ability to walk off the field unassisted clearly indicates that he was not as hurt as he tried to portray.
Despite offers to take him to a private hospital for a medical examination, the referee refused, raising doubts about his injury claims’ legitimacy.
Following the incident, Scotland FC supporters began declaring the match over and made their way to their buses, further suggesting that this was a premeditated ploy.
Despite the tense atmosphere, we would like to thank our supporters for remaining peaceful throughout. At halftime, referee Dingo informed our coach, Wonder Ngoko, that he was unwilling to continue officiating, citing an inability to handle the pressure.
Even after our player, Edmore Mubatapasango, was shown a red card, our supporters maintained their composure, with no pitch invasion or attempts to confront the referee.
Karoi United FC is committed to fair play and maintaining the integrity of the game. We urge the Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) and the Referee Association to take this matter seriously and conduct a thorough investigation.
The integrity of the league depends on the transparency and honesty of its officials, and incidents like this must be addressed to preserve the spirit of football.
Karoi United FC has submitted its report to the Northern Region Soccer League and remains steadfast in its dedication to sportsmanship.
We call for an unbiased review of this incident to protect the values we all uphold in the beautiful game.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Karoi United Football Club says their fans did not hurt the referee on purpose during a match. They accuse the referee of pretending to be hurt so he could end the game. Even though a player got a red card, the fans stayed calm and did not cause any trouble. The team wants the league to investigate what happened. They believe the referee's behavior was wrong and want to protect the honesty and fairness of the game. Karoi United FC is standing by their belief in playing fair and good sportsmanship.

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