REIGNING Soccer Star of the Year, Charles Sibanda, has been fined US$1000 and slapped with a two match suspension for assaulting Chicken Inn coach Adam Ndlovu and dousing him with urine.
The FC Platinum player was found guilty of flouting Premier Soccer League (PSL) rules and regulations when he appeared before the league’s disciplinary panel on 22 September.
Sibanda assaulted the former Warriors striker during a league match between FC Platinum and Chicken Inn at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo on 27 August which was drawn 1-all.
In their verdict which was released last Thursday, the disciplinary panel said Sibanda’s conduct could have sparked violence at the stadium.
“Players should be exemplary as they are role models. Such atrocious conduct does not inspire confidence in youngsters. His conduct could have easily sparked violence at the stadium. A deterrent penalty would meet the justice of this case,” the PSL disciplinary panel’s ruling reads in part.
Sibanda must pay the fine by the end of October.
“In terms of Article 19.4 of the FIFA code, a suspension is prolonged until the fine is paid in full hence the player will not play any matches until the fine is paid in full,” the verdict added.
The panel's verdict also effectively rules Sibanda out for this year’s Soccer Star of the Year selection.
PSL rules and regulations state that it is an offence for a player to assault, threaten, intimidate, coerce, interfere, mislead or insult a match official, player or official of the league, press or media, or any other person before or during the match.