Africa-Press – Rwanda. Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire has said that the ministry will closely take a critical look at the fans’ protests that caused chaos at Bugesera Stadium during Rayon Sports match against Bugesera FC on Saturday, May 17.
The protests were launched by angry Rayon Sports fans after referee Patrick Ngaboyisonga awarded a penalty to Bugesera FC just seconds after he controversially denied the visitors a penalty despite claims that their star striker Abeddy Biramahire was fouled in the home side’s penalty area.
The Blues supporters started throwing objects onto the pitch chanting ‘we are fed up, we are fed up!’
The match officials were left with no option but to stop the match citing security issues. Bugesera FC were leading 2-0 courtesy a Farouk Ssentogo opener in the 13th minute and Umar Abba’s penalty goal in the 55th minute.
The protests were not welcomed by the football fraternity including Minister Mukazayire who said her ministry and other concerned bodies in the Rwanda FA and Rwanda Premier League will look into the matter and take due action.
“We would like to remind football fans and all Rwandans that riotous behavior in sporting activities is illegal and punishable by law,” Mukazayire said in an X post.
“We, as @Rwanda_Sports, within our responsibilities and in the way we work with other bodies, will follow up on this,” she added.
Meanwhile, FERWAFA also denounced the unsportsmanlike actions of the supporters in question, describing them as ‘unacceptable.’
“We wish to inform you that all the riots that hinder the smooth running of football are unacceptable and intolerable. We also inform you that a decision on this [Bugesera FC vs Rayon Sports] match will be by taken soon by the responsible officials at FERWAFA,” a statement by FERWAFA reads in part.
Rayon Sports currently sit second on the league table with 59 points. They trail APR FC by 2 points after the army side beat Gorilla FC 1-0 at Kigali Pele Stadium through Djibril Ouattara.
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