Highlanders have been ordered to play their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Bulawayo City on Sunday in an empty stadium following their fans’ violent behaviour when they played Chicken Inn at Barbourfields in August.

In addition to the ban, the Bulawayo giants were fined $3 500 for the same offence, but they will pay $2 000 after $1 500 was suspended on condition that the offence is not repeated this season. Highlanders were found guilty of contravening PSL regulations that hold the club responsible when fans throw missiles and invade the pitch.

In their defence, Highlanders argued at the hearing that the police were to blame, as they did not carry out thorough searches as fans entered the stadium. Bosso, who were represented by chief executive officer, Ndumiso Gumede, also suggested that some of the violence was caused by economic factors that the club had no control over.