LEOPARD GUILTY, FORFEIT POINTS

 MBABANE – A towel grabbed by a fan from Matsapha United’s goalposts has cost Royal Leopard crucial points.

In their disciplinary hearing last night before the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Disciplinary Committee (DC) at Sigwaca House, they were found guilty after hours of arguing their case and mitigating. The police club’s PRO Frank Hurube and Mabamba Shiba represented them.

“They forfeit the match which means three points to Matsapha United,” confirmed Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Simanga Nhleko.

Hurube also confirmed they lost the case.
However, it was confirmed by one of the officials in the case that they were also fined E50 000 as per the MTN Premier League Rules and Regulations’ Article 4.18.

The article is about causing the abandonment of a match.
In mitigation, Leopard suspended the fan who ran onto the field of play and grabbed the goalkeeper Innocent Obodai Adja’s towel just before the start of the second half, the latter chasing after him. Police and security guards rescued the fan from the rival’s supporters who bayed for his blood.

Towel

The towel was grabbed due to alleged muti beliefs with the score at half time goalless despite a host of chances.
Meanwhile, the verdict will not affect their second spot position but it is a blow as a replay was preferable to them to fight for the points and probably take the summit from Green Mamba with a two-point gap.

For Matsapha, it is a victory as they go to 13th in what could be a boost to relegation battle as they are now two points away from drop zone. They are now four points away from safety and are forcing Vovovo to look over their shoulders
It is expected Leopard will appeal the verdict but nothing has been said to that effect yet by the club that has to wait for written verdict.

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