By Goodwill Zunidza

Northern Region Soccer League has confirmed they will not take any action on Nesbert ‘Yabo’ Saruchera who sat on the N’ombeyawora FC bench in spite of a match ban.

Sweeney Mushonga, NRSL secretary-general, disclosed that there will be no sanctions on either the team or the coach himself as he had pleaded for leniency.

Saruchera was found guilty by the NRSL disciplinary committee of violent conduct at a league match his side lost 0-1 to title rivals Agama and subsequently fined US$5 000 on top of a two-match ban in Week 29 and 30.

However, it was business as usual as Saruchera guided N’ombeyawora to two further victories over Banket United and Black Mambas during the subsistence of the ban period.

In a confusing legal explanation, Mushonga said the temperamental coach was not being defiant of the sanctions.

“Saruchera pleaded for more time to pay the fine beyond the Tuesday deadline he was given. This had the effect of suspending his judgement,” Mushonga, in an interview with New Ziana, stated.

The league was also under pressure, the NRSL boss conceded, of not wanting to be seen as favouring any side in the league’s ongoing promotion battle by taking drastic decisions against any competitor.

“It is at a time we urge our disciplinary committee to exercise extreme oversight in their decisions so that the league is not accused of bias at this sensitive stage of the season,” implored Mushonga.

In the severe NRSL judgement Saruchera was slapped with both a ban and fine, without an option to settle for either of the sanctions.

The disciplinary committee was worried at Saruchera being a repeat offender and their severe ruling highlights the seriousness of the infraction and justifies the strict stance taken.

New Ziana