Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has recommended that suspended Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi take some anger management courses as part of his punishment for his violent and disorderly conduct during a league match against Dynamos in October.
The temperamental coach struck his own player, McDonald Mukuwe, on the touchline in a fit of rage, as the midfielder was trying to restrain him following a disputed goal by the home side. The game ended 1-all.
The PSL Disciplinary Committee yesterday delivered its judgement on the incident, slapping Chiragwi with a $4,000 fine for his misconduct.
In addition, Ngezi Platinum Stars was also handed a heavy fine for causing disruption to the normal proceedings of the game. Club defender Kudzai Chigwida has also been fined $100 for insulting a match official.
While many observers anticipated a lengthy touchline ban, Chiragwi ultimately escaped the harshest penalty.
Instead, he was slapped with a fine, with a significant caveat attached.
The most telling part of the sentence is the committee’s recommendation that Chiragwi enroll in anger management courses.
The PSL statement confirmed that US$1,000 of his fine was suspended, contingent on the coach attending these professional lessons with an approved organisation.
It’s a judgement that acknowledges the gravity of the physical assault while also recognizing the internal and external pressures that led to the breakdown.
“Head Coach Takesure Chiragwi pleaded guilty to charges of violent and disorderly conduct and improper behaviour likely to bring the League into disrepute… He was fined US4,000,ofwhichUS1,000 was suspended on condition that he attends anger management lessons with an organisation approved by the PSL,” a PSL statement read.
The PSL Disciplinary Committee noted that its relatively lenient stance on a ban was heavily influenced by the coach’s actions following the incident.
In its deliberation, the committee “took cognisance of the coach’s public apology to the player, the league and all stakeholders.”
Chiragwi’s show of accountability and remorseincluding the punitive internal disciplinary measures already instituted by his club, worked in his favour. Furthermore, the committee noted his voluntary decision to step down from his position with the national team during the recent Fifa World Cup qualifiers, recognizing this as a pre-emptive measure of self-punishment.
The club, Ngezi Platinum Stars, was also held accountable for the overall chaotic scene, receiving a $5,000 fine for disturbing the normal proceedings of the game and improper behaviour by their technical team and players, while defender Kudzai Chigwida was fined for insulting a match official.
For now, first assistant coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva remains in charge of the Ngezi Platinum Stars squad.
The question now is not just when Chiragwi will return to the touchline, but what kind of coach will emerge from this period of mandatory self-reflection. His path back to the dugout is clearly marked.
It runs through a classroom focused on controlling the rage that nearly derailed his career.
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