‘BULL’ FACE ANOTHER E40K FINE

MBABANE – It never rains but pours for Mbabane Highlanders as they face yet another fine by the Disciplinary Committee (DC) if found guilty of attacking a fan at Mavuso Sports Centre on Wednesday.

The black and white capital giants fans and supporters were seen assaulting a fan during their 2-0 defeat by the uncompromising Royal Leopard in the MTN Premier League first round decider. The outcome of the match determined the winner of the E200 000 first round prize. The ‘Black Bull’ were first charged a summary fine of E15 000 by the Thulani Sibandze-led DC in December 21, 2022 for contravening Article 7(1) (b) of the 2021/22 MTN Premier League Rules and Regulations:  Threatening by conduct or words to assault or attempt to assault a referee, PLE official, player, club official, marshal, supporter, fan, spectator- a minimum fine of E10 000 and a maximum fine of E30 000. In addition, the offending club shall be ordered to compensate the victim for any financial loss incurred due to the assault by the DC.

A few weeks back, before the Mbabane-based side appeared before the same DC charged with three counts for contravening Articles 7(1) (k), and 7 (1) (g), however, they were charged using Article 7 (1) (g) which states that: Failure to control fan(s), supporter(s), official(s), marshal(s) - a fine not less than E25 000 by the DC. They were fined E22 500 for contravening the said Article. Mbabane Highlanders for attacking the fan face another fine that carries a maximum fine of E40 000, this is according to the 2021/22 MTN Premier League rules under Article 7 (1) (c), which states that: “Assaulting a referee, PLE official, player, club official, marshal, supporter, fan, spectator or the use of excessive force shall be punished with a fine of not less than E40 000 by the DC. In addition, the offending club shall be ordered to compensate the victim for any financial loss incurred due to the assault.”

This means the team has lost E37 500 in fines so far excluding the one for the Wednesday incident, should they be hauled before the DC. Mbabane Highlanders Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mandla Madonsela said a lot has happened in the team, so the supporters should adapt to the situation. “We are strongly against what our supporters did; they should learn to accept the results as they are. What they did was wrong,” Madonsela said. He said they should control their tempers, because at the end of the day, it was the team that suffered their unsporting behaviour, not them.

Madonsela also said that even the club’s Managing Director (MD) Chief Ally Kgomongwe was against any form of violence by Highlanders supporters. “The chief highlighted the issue of violence during games by our supporters, which he said tarnishes the image of the team and hit hard on their coffers,” he said. Kgomongwe advised the supporters against committing violence in games during the club’s celebratory party held at Codec in Ezulwini two weeks back.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: