Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Disciplinary Committee (DC) may impose a fine of up to E60 000 on elite league side Green Mamba, due to an alleged breach of rules.
This could be for unsporting behaviour during the MTN Premier League match against Mbabane Swallows played at the King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium on Sunday. The two sides played together in a Week three double-header and their game was preceded by the clash between Rangers and Mbabane Highlanders, which saw the latter winning 0-1. The match between Swallows and Green Mamba was won by the Correctional Services side by 4-1, courtesy of a brace by striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, and a beautiful Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu curling goal.
rubbing
Kwenzokuhle Khumalo put the final nail in the coffin. Footage and pictures in the publication revealed that a few minutes before kick-off, the team’s Kit Manager, Simiso ‘Khathazamanyemadoda’ Masilela, was seen sprinkling a foreign substance and rubbing it onto the artificial turf with some of the players. After the official’s actions, some of the Mbabane Swallows supporters demanded ‘Khathazamanyemadoda’ to leave the stadium. The incident occurred in front of a packed King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium. Such conduct is frowned upon by Articles 38.3.3 and 38.6.7 of the 2023/24 MTN Premier League Rules and Regulations, approved by the EFA.
The first Article 38.3.3 clearly states that improper conduct includes, but not limited to invading or attempting to invade the demarcated area, throwing or attempting to throw projectiles or bottles, damage or attempted damage to property, letting off or attempting to let off incendiary devices, displaying insulting or political slogans, uttering law; insulting words or sounds, smoking or contravening any statute, regulation or by, the offender shall be fined not less than E30 000 by the DC. Should they be charged using Article 38.5.1 (2) for the use of foreign substances, they stand to be fined another E30 000. This article states that it shall be an offence for a club, if its supporters, fans, officials, players and/or ball retrievers, are seen using any substance that is alien to, or is foreign to, a football field or stadium.
substances
Foreign substances may include, among others, liquids poured in the passages, tunnels or fields; salt and/or any powder sprinkled in the passages, tunnels or fields; chalk drawings or painting of walls in the change rooms, passages and tunnels, burning of incense or any substances/materials in the change rooms, passages, tunnels or fields; applying any oil or lotions to match balls and match equipment, digging of the fields, use of mirrors and so on. Any club identified by the referee/match commissioner or the match coordinator committing any of these offence(s) shall be summarily fined an amount of E30 000 by the PLE. Should they be charged, the defending champions will be fined an amount of E60 000.
It’s worth noting that Green Mamba have a history of disciplinary issues. Last season, it was again their team’s kit manager, Masilela, who was suspended for the remainder of the season due to misconduct during a match against Mbabane Highlanders together with Highlanders’ kit manager, Sikhumbuzo Matimela. They were both suspended by the PLE for their behaviour at the Mavuso Sports Centre. The officials breached the rules of the 2022/23 MTN Premier League by administering substances that are not approved by the league. Such substances and rituals were forbidden by the league’s rules and regulations. The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE), Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenneth Makhanya could not be drawn for comment.
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