HALF-NAKED AFTER CAUSING A STIR AT MAVUSO: PITCH INVADER FACES SUSPENSION

MBABANE – He is in hot water.

That is the football fan, who invaded the pitch last Sunday during the MTN double-header, which was hosted at the Mavuso Sports Centre. The first game featured Manzini Wanderers against Mbabane Swallows, which saw the former suffering a humiliating 0-4 defeat. The second game was between Mbabane Highlanders and log leaders Green Mamba, which was won by the latter 0-3.

It was during the second match between the black and white capital city giants and the Correctional Services side, when the half-naked supporter did the unthinkable, as he invaded the pitch while the game was in progress and raced towards the Ernest Mavuso-led side’s goal post. Upon reaching the post, he took goalkeeper Xolani Gama’s water bottle and threw it away; as if that was not enough, he was seen again running back to the post and this time took an unidentified substance, which he also threw away then went back to the main stand.

Regulations

This action is frowned upon by the 2022/23 MTN Premier League Rules and Regulations on Article 10.6.1, which clearly states that: Invading the pitch before, during, and after a game by a supporter(s), fan(s), a steward(s) or spectator(s) celebration of a goal(s) - a summary fine of E25 000 by the PLE.

Meanwhile, Article 10.7 states that: Notwithstanding, the provisions of Article 10 above, the PLE reserves the right to charge any player, official, steward, supporter, fan, spectator positively identified by the Referee or Match Commissioner or PLE Official to have contravened any of Article 10 provisions and if found guilty he/shall be punished in accordance with these Rules and Regulations, the PLE Statues, the EFA Statutes and/or the EFA rules and regulations or the EFA Disciplinary Code.

Measures

PLE Football Manager Pat Vilakati when asked on what measures the organisation would take against the supporter said they were currently working on the reports of the referee and match commissioner on the day of the incident.
“We will deal with him; we don’t care whether he disguised by taking off what he was wearing on top as we will find out soon,” the former PLE chief operations officer (COO) said. Vilakati was earlier this week quoted strongly condemning such misconducts, as he said they were not good for local football as they painted a gloomy picture even internationally. He also said such behaviour shunned away prospective sponsors of the game loved by millions.

Praised

It is worth mentioning that the PLE once praised Manzini Wanderers and Moneni Pirates for banning misbehaving supporters from watching games. Meanwhile, in big leagues, stern action is taken against pitch invaders. In England’s Premier League, for instance, it was announced last year that pitch invaders in matches would receive an automatic club ban and be reported to the police in a new crackdown by football authorities ahead of the new season.

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