Times Of Swaziland: ROYAL LEOPARD ACQUITTED!

ROYAL LEOPARD ACQUITTED!
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BY ASHMOND NZIMA  on 07/10/2016 00:31:00


MBABANE – Police outfit Royal Leopard heaved a sigh of relief as they were
acquitted in their misconduct case.
The blue and white ensemble appeared before the Sikhumbuzo Simelane-chaired
National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) Disciplinary Committee at
Sigwaca House in Mbabane last night facing charges of bringing football into
disrepute after players failed to collect their Castle Cup silver medals and
merchandise on the podium at Somhlolo National Stadium  last Saturday. They were
likely to pay a hefty fine if they were found guilty.
The DC found that the side never got formal communication from the tournament
Management Committee about a possible decoration after the game.
Relieved team officials in Secretary Mabamba Shiba and PRO Frank Hurube, who
made a stop at the venue to defend Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane’s charges,
insisted the snub was not intentional and would never do something that would
bring football into disrepute .
“We still feel we need to apologise to all stakeholders, especially the
sponsors, for the incident,” said Hurube.
Meanwhile, giants Mbabane Highlanders made a brief appearance before the DC but
asked for their matter to be postponed to Tuesday.
They have been slapped with over five counts that come with a fine of over E100
000 for a guilty verdict following unrest in Mbabane derby games in the past
month. The charges are headlined by alleged attempts to ridicule top football
officials.
The ‘Black Bull’ have to pay costs, mainly for transporting the DC, as per
the norm before the matter continues. The capital city heavyweights were
represented by lawyer Martin ‘Internash’ Dlamini, who was accompanied by
team chief scout Mandla Simelane.