VIOLENCE DERAILS KO SPONSORSHIP TALKS - PLE

MBABANE – The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) has condemned violence in local games.

PLE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenneth Makhanya, made their stance clear on the matter yesterday during Eswatini Broadcasting Information Service Sports Show programme. The show was hosted by Siphesihle ‘Sihlabani’ Nxumalo. Speaking during an interview  with Nxumalo, the PLE administrator spoke strongly of how the ‘ugly’ scenes were derailing sponsorships talks. “We are currently engaged with a potential sponsor for a knockout tournament. However, the talks have been dragging because of these violent scenes in stadium. It is really hard for us to convince our potential sponsor to finalise the deal with the ongoing violent scenes,” said Makhanya.

Knock-out

Asked if there would be a knock-out tournament before the end of the season, he said: “Like I said we are still in talks with them and we hope the talks will be fruitful. I cannot say when, but we are positive something will come out of the talks.” He went on to condemn the violence and called on teams to also take those responsibility for causing such scenes in stadiums to task. He said just when the talks were close to be finalised, new cases of violent scenes resurfaced and it derailed the whole process. Meanwhile, Makhanya also highlighted that they were currently engaged with a new ticketing system company that would integrate with MTN Mobile Money (MoMo) Market. He said while the talks were ongoing, fans would still buy tickets via MoMo Pay.  This past weekend Mbabane Highlanders fans caused a commotion after referees had to be escorted out of the stadium following a Philani Mkhonto’s disallowed goal. The fans also pelted Young Buffaloes’ bus with all sorts of missiles.

Disallowed

Also during Mbabane derby, Swallows fans bayed for the match officials’ blood after a disallowed Felix Badenhorst goal. Mbabane Highlanders threatened to assault match officials after the referee awarded a ‘Hand of God’ goal by Manzini Sea Birds.

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