Harare – Castle Lager, the principal sponsor of the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League (PSL), has expressed grave concern over rising incidents of fan violence at local football matches that  could tarnish the image of the league and discourage potential sponsors.

The sponsor’s press statement follows violent clashes on Sunday at Chahwanda Stadium during a league fixture between Hardrock and Dynamos. The match, which ended prematurely, saw an estimated 10 people injured and taken to hospital after chaos erupted in the second half.

Trouble began in the 67th minute when Hardrock were awarded a penalty, converted by Wilfred Madzungu to level the score at 1–1. Tensions flared immediately after the equaliser, with rival fans storming the pitch and disrupting play. Players and technical staff from both sides were escorted off the field as police and security personnel struggled to contain the unrest. 

This is not an isolated incident; it is the second time the Kwekwe-based side has been involved in a crowd disturbance. On Sunday, 19 April 2026, a video circulated on social media allegedly showing Hardrock FC marshals and supporters involved in crowd trouble during the match between Hardrock FC and Ngezi Platinum Stars. The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has since launched an investigation into the disturbances, and a ruling is yet to be issued.v

In its press release, Castle Lager condemned the violence, citing that it does not represent its values. 

“Football has long held a unifying role in Zimbabwean society—bringing together

communities, families, and supporters in a shared celebration of passion, talent, and national pride. Recent events, however, fall short of the spirit of the game and the values we collectively stand for.”

Castle Lager further urged the PSL leadership, clubs, and relevant authorities to act decisively and transparently in investigating the disturbances and implementing disciplinary measures. The sponsor warned that continued violence could erode confidence in the league and jeopardise future investment in Zimbabwean football.

“As a longstanding partner of the PSL, Castle Lager strongly condemn all forms of violence and unsportsmanlike behaviour, both on and off the field. The safety of fans, players, match officials and all stakeholders remains paramount,” the statement read.

The sponsor reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth and integrity of the PSL but stressed that the game must be played in an environment that reflects safety, respect, fairness, and unity. Castle Lager also wished those injured a speedy recovery and appealed to fans to reject violence and support their teams responsibly.

“We urge all involved to act decisively and transparently to restore confidence in the game.

As sponsors, we are actively engaging with the PSL leadership on these matters and await the

outcomes of the ongoing investigations into these events. This is to help us understand the

root causes behind these disruptions and support practical, long-term solutions that reinforce a safe and enjoyable football environment…We believe the game must be played, and experienced, in a manner that reflects safety, respect, fairness and unity.”

The incident has reignited debate over stadium security and fan conduct, with analysts advocating for decisive action to be taken against the perpetrators of such unsportsmanlike behavior. 

In a twist of football fate, Tal Rehmann, the Manchester City supporter famously dubbed the “bottle fan” after his viral banter video, has extended warm congratulations to Arsenal following their historic League victory.

Rehmann first captured attention on matchday 33 at the Etihad Stadium, where cameras caught him cheekily holding a bottle branded with Arsenal’s logo and making a drinking gesture. The stunt was quickly interpreted as “sipping on Arsenal’s tears” after Erling Haaland’s 65th‑minute strike sealed City’s 2–1 win, narrowing the gap to just three points behind the Gunners with a game in hand.

Yet football’s drama is never short-lived. Four matches later, the tables turned spectacularly. Arsenal clinched the 2025–26 Premier League title , their first in 22 years , after City stumbled to a 1–1 draw against Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium.

Sky Sports caught up with Rehmann, eager to hear his reflections now that the team he mocked had risen to glory. With a wry smile, he admitted:

“First and foremost, congratulations to Arsenal. You have won the League — well done. And that, you know, it’s killing me to say it, but there’s no bitterness in me.”

Rehmann insisted his antics were all in the spirit of football fun:

“My bottle prank was pure banter. Some of you took it in a good way, which is what it was meant to be. Those who saw it negatively need to understand the word banter. I’m a football fan — I travel home and away, and cameras are everywhere. Somebody said I was ‘drinking Arsenal tears,’ but those weren’t my words. The lid was still on the bottle! I was just messing about with my son, and before I knew it, three and a half minutes later, I’d gone viral.”

He laughed about the image living “rent‑free” in Arsenal fans’ minds, but also acknowledged the possibility that his antics may have spurred the Gunners on:

“I think I motivated them, and I apologise to anyone who didn’t want Arsenal to win the League.”

From playful mockery to reluctant admiration, Rehmann’s journey mirrors the unpredictable beauty of football itself, where fortunes shift, rivalries ignite, and even a bottle can become a symbol of banter that outlives the match.

Referee (REF): Chris Kavanagh 

Assistant Referee 1 (AR1): Dan Cook

VAR: Darren England 

Assistant VAR (AVAR): Akil Howson

RO: Hawk-Eye replay operator

When the on-field team is able to hear the VAR discussion, the text is shown in bold.

VAR: Possible foul on keeper.

VAR: Watch has gone.

AVAR: Goal given.

AR1: I don’t see any foul on the goalkeeper.

REF: On-field decision is goal.

VAR: Checking the on-field decision of goal.

VAR: OK, let’s play it through, let’s play it through. Let’s just get a feel now.

VAR: So, the keeper there…

VAR: Then it’s just a shot. So, it’s literally just a possible foul on Raya, what I’m seeing in terms of that.

AVAR: Yeah, and to make sure he doesn’t have it in his hand.

VAR: OK, let’s get a tighter angle on the goalkeeper please.

VAR: On the Arsenal goalkeeper.

RO: Yeah.

VAR: This one. Slow it down, frame by frame.

VAR: For me, there is a foul. Potential foul with the arm.

VAR: His hand is holding his arm down. That’s impactful, for me.

VAR: The left arm there, is holding, is across the body.

VAR: He’s across the head and he’s holding the left arm of Raya, there.

VAR: Which impedes his ability to get to the ball properly.

VAR: Doesn’t look that impactful from that angle.

RO: I’ve got a pole-cam angle.

VAR: Give us pole-cam.

AVAR: It’s like, Raya…

AVAR: Because that contact we’ve got there, we’ve got…

VAR: Just keep delaying. Just checking possible foul on the goalkeeper.

AVAR: You’ve got that straight behind him as well, look.

VAR: Yeah.

RO: I’ll go back to the original angle.

VAR: Yeah.

VAR: But this happens before.

RO: Do you want to see it at full speed?

VAR: Yes please.

VAR: Is it impactful on the goalkeeper that, for me.

VAR: Go back to the second angle you showed me, the second angle.

RO: No problem, just going to look now.

AVAR: Can you do a split screen on both of them as well?

VAR: This one here, this one. Yeah, give us a split screen. That one and then the first angle.

RO: OK, goalline?

VAR: No, sorry, this one and this one, thank you.

AVAR: I don’t like Trossard not facing the ball and you’ve got…

AVAR: I agree, it’s impactful, it’s just everything else that’s going on as well.

AVAR: Let’s say we’re saying that’s a foul, then what are we saying about Trossard’s actions on the same player?

AVAR: What are we saying about Declan Rice behind?

VAR: Yeah.

VAR: He still gets a hand to the ball, doesn’t he? When he’s getting to the ball.

AVAR: What’s your initial opinion as you watched it?

VAR: I think, for me, we send him for an on-field review to look at the possible foul on the goalkeeper.

VAR: And then we get him to look at the other incidents as well. I think that’s the best decision in terms of this.

VAR: OK.

VAR: Chris (Chris Kavanagh – REF), I’m going to recommend an on-field review for a possible foul on the goalkeeper but there are some other incidents to look at while you’re at the monitor as well.

REF: OK.

VAR: So, I’m going to show you a possible foul on the goalkeeper.

RO: This angle?

REF: OK.

VAR: The left arm of Pablo comes across Raya and holds on to the left arm of Raya as he goes to win the ball.

REF: Yeah.

VAR: I’m showing you that now.

REF: I can see the clear holding on him across.

VAR: Yeah, but then I’m just going to show you some, obviously, other angles on that incident, of players.

REF: OK.

AVAR: You’ve got Declan Rice and you’ve got Trossard.

REF: I don’t know what you’re trying to show me, give me a clue.

VAR: Trossard on Pablo. Just if you look at Trossard on Pablo. Give me a better angle on that.

VAR: I’ll get you a better angle.

REF: I don’t think there’s much in that at all, I’m happy with that.

VAR: Yeah, OK.

REF: That’s nothing.

VAR: And then if you just want to consider the actions of Declan Rice on Mavropanos at the back.

VAR: But the foul happens on the goalkeeper before.

REF: Before it, so… After review, West Ham number…

VAR: 19.

REF: 19. Foul.

REF: Just confirm his number again for me.

VAR: 19.

VAR: Yeah, confirmed.

REF: Mic open.

REF: After review, West Ham number 19 commits a foul on the goalkeeper. Final decision is direct free-kick.