SHOT FIRED, GAME CALLED OFF!

MBABANE – It was a sad day for football.

The ugly face of violence was witnessed during a game pitting Manzini Super League teams over the weekend, which forced the match to be called off. The implicated teams are known to this publication. However, they will not  be revealed as the referee’s report had not reached the Manzini Regional Football Association (MRFA) by the time this report was compiled. A source close to the matter and a witness said the violence started when the other team was leading by a scoreline of 1-0 in the second-half of the game. According to eyewitnesses, supporters of one of the teams allegedly drew all sorts of weapons including bush knives, knives but they were surprised when one of them reportedly drew a gun and shot in the air. The source, who is also a director of one of the teams, said they were not impressed by the scenario as it put people’s lives in danger.

Understand

“We do understand that fans engage in fights but I have never seen someone pulling out a knife let alone a gun; this should be avoided at all costs as someone could have been injured or killed by the stray bullet,” the source said. The source further said they were hopeful that the MRFA would deal with the matter amicably and hoped that this was the last incident to happen in a football match.Meanwhile, MRFA Chairman Johannes ‘Ace’ Siboza said they were still waiting for the referee’s report and nothing concerning that was reported to his office. “I will get all the games’ reports tomorrow as we meet on Tuesdays; for now I can’t comment about the issue you are talking about as we don’t have the reports now,” Siboza said. He then reminded supporters that football was not for violence and people should learn to accept the results as they were. He further said he was hopeful that the referees would do a good job and the matter would be forwarded to the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) where the implicated team would be charged by the disciplinary committee. Meanwhile, the incident happened at a time when the country is experiencing random attacks on members of the security forces by unknown gunmen.

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