‘BULL’ FACE 3-POINT DEDUCTION

MBABANE – They are in serious trouble.

That is the story of Mbabane Highlanders who stand to lose three points and the same number of goals, should they be hauled before the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Disciplinary Committee (DC), for the commotion some of the fans caused after their MTN Premier League game against Young Buffaloes on Sunday at the Mavuso Sports Centre. The black and white capital city giants are fresh from facing the wrath of the DC after their supporters bayed for the blood of referee Mbongeni Shongwe, who was alleged to have allowed a goal which was scored by Manzini Sea Birds’ Sandumenzi Zwane with an aid of his hand. Inkunzi emnyama were hauled before the DC where they were fined E70 000 and had to play one of their category ‘B’ games behind closed doors. This was a game against Tambuti.

Blocked

The team’s supporters were on Sunday after the game against Amathole’zinyathi blocked the tunnel to the dressing rooms as they wanted to skin alive the match officials, for ruling against a goal scored by Philani Mkhonto deep into stoppage time. Just before centre referee Thulani Sibandze blew his final whistle, the supporters were seen making their way towards the technical area, but were blocked by the security personnel before invading the pitch. They resorted to wait for the officials by the tunnel. The referees at full-time, remained inside the pitch, with police on guard before they were escorted to an unusual exit on the far end of the stadium for safety. The fans did not stop there but they also petted Buffaloes fans bus with all sorts of missiles. The EFA DC frowns on such misconduct and the Solly Luvhengo-led side face around E50 000 in fine on top of a possible loss of three points and goals from the points they have accumulated.

This is so because the team will be appearing before the DC for the second time for a similar offence of contravening Articles 10.6.2 and 10.6.7 of the 2022/23 MTN Premier League Rules and Regulations. These articles in total carry a fine of E50 000, as Article 10. 6. 2 states clearly that: Threatening by conduct or words to assault or attempt to assault a referee, PLE official, player, club official, steward, supporter, fan, spectator is punishable with a minimum fine of E10 000 and a maximum fine of E30 000.

Compensate

In addition, the offending club shall be ordered to compensate the victim for any financial, medical and any other costs incurred due to the assault by the DC, while Article 10.6.6 reads that: Throwing objects of any kind onto the field of play and/or its surroundings or unto any person(s), thus assaulting or attempting to assault and invading the field of play is punishable with a fine of not less than E20 000 by the DC. The rules further on Article 10.11 states that the DC shall double the fine, if a club appears for a second time on similar charges of violence and use of foreign substances and is found guilty. Further to that, a club shall lose three points and the same number goals from their accumulated number of points. Should the black and white capital city giants be hauled before the DC and charged according to the above rules, especially the last one (Article 10.11), their title hopes will be affected hugely as they will drop to position six and tie with Moneni Pirates on 22 points. They are currently six points behind leaders Green Mamba, who are 36.

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