Africa-Press – Eswatini. It never rains but pours for Mbabane Highlanders as they face a possible fine of E120 000 after Sunday’s episodes.
This comes just a week after the country’s most successful club in history had E100 000 of their MoMo Cup prize money withheld by the Premier League of Eswatini for allegedly damaging the newly-installed synthetic track at Somhlolo National Stadium.
This time, the club’s supporters caused mayhem after their 2-1 loss to Manzini Sea Birds on Sunday at Mavuso Sports Centre, where they are said to have charged at referee Mbongeni Shongwe like starved lions, which had been deliberately kept at an enclosure for days.
The team is facing five counts for the incident, according to Article 7 of the 2022/23 MTN Premier League rules and regulations.
Assault
The black and white ensemble could be charged in an accordance with Article 7.1.
Article 7.1(a) states that pitch invasion comes with a summary fine of E15 000.
‘Invading the pitch before, during, after a game by a supporters, fans, marshal or spectator (unless authorised by official in celebration of a goal (s) – a summary fine of E15 000 by the PLE,’ the article reads.
The second count will be for threatening the referee which carries a maximum fine E30 000. The article states that invading the pitch before, during and after the game by supporters, fans, a marshal or spectators unless authorised by officials in a final in celebration of goals. The article carries a summary fine of E15 000.
‘Threatening by conduct or words to assault or attempt to assault a referee, PLE official, player, club official, marshal, supporter, fan carries a minimum fine of E10 000 and a maximum fine of E30 000 and in addition, the offending club shall be ordered to compensate the victim for any financial loss incurred due to the assaults by the DC,’ Article 7.1 (b) reads.
‘Uttering abusive or obscene or derogatory words, spiting or emission of saliva onto any person or directed towards a person carries a minimum of E25 000 and a maximum of E40 000 fine by the DC. This should also include players where players can incite fans, opposing players and officials,’ part of the Article reads.
The club might also be charged for use of provocative or insulting gestures or signals, unbecoming behaviour or conspiracy or attempts to act to bring football into disrepute or inciting people to behave in a manner that brings the game of football into disrepute, which carries a minimum of E10 000 and a maximum of E30 000 fines.
Also, failure to control fans, supporters and officials has a fine of not less than E25 000 to be meted out by the Disciplinary Committee, according to Article 7.1 (d) Premier League of Eswatini Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Makhanya condemned the incident through a statement released yesterday.
Expression
“The Premier League of Eswatini regrets the incidents by a certain group of Mbabane Highlanders supporters that took place at the end of the match between Manzini Sea Birds and Mbabane Highlanders.
We condemn the expression of our frustrations towards match officials during a football match through the throwing of objects onto the field of play and the invasion of the pitch at any time, for any reason, by any supporter(s) and most unacceptably, for the clear purpose of assaulting and/or attempting to assault players, match officials or anyone on the field of play.
Such actions are prohibited by the rules and regulations of the Premier League,” he said.
Makhanya further revealed that they were still in consultation with football stakeholders concerning the matter.
“We are looking into this matter and consulting with relevant stakeholders to deal with the matter in the best interest of football in Eswatini.
“We note with disappointment that this incident and others like it tarnish, not only the reputation of the clubs concerned, but negatively impact the reputation of our sponsors and all football stakeholders, locally and internationally.
“The Premier League of Eswatini sincerely apologises to supporters and the stadium owners, MTN Eswatini, Eswatini Football Association, the entire nation and all Eswatini football supporters internationally, who were subjected to these unfortunate scenes.
“The Premier League of Eswatini is dealing with this matter in line with the rules and regulations of the league and will issue a statement once the process is complete,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mbabane Highlanders also condemned the incident through a press statement released by the club’s Chief Executive Officer Clement Dlamini.
“The director, management committee and the whole Mbabane Highlanders family whole heartedly condemn the unfortunate incidents of violence and hooliganism which marred our game against Manzini Sea Birds.
“We are dearly sending our sincerest and unconditional apology to all football stakeholders for such unsporting behaviour,” he said.
Dlamini further stated that the club would institute an investigation into the incident.
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