Football

MBABANE — Threat!

Eswatini’s 2026/27 CAF Champions League envoys, Nsingizini Hotspurs, risk a fine of over E80 000 (US$5 000) if they continue to use smoke bombs, especially in continental fixtures.

During celebrations of their league success this past Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Somhlolo National Stadium, some Nsingizini Hotspurs fans set off smoke bombs that emitted green smoke. On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, the Royal Eswatini Police Service reported that the use of the green smoke resulted in health complications for certain spectators, branding the incident as gross criminal negligence. "As a law enforcement agency, we would like to condemn in the strongest possible terms the use of prohibited substances that compromise safety, health and security at stadiums and further assure the nation that necessary actions will be taken," stated Inspector Mazwi Ndzimandze, Acting Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) takes a very dim view of pyrotechnics, smoke bombs and flares, treating them strictly as safety hazards and spectator misconduct. Under Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, host clubs are held automatically responsible for supporter behaviour. Furthermore, Articles 32 and 35 of the CAF Safety and Security Regulations classify smoke bombs as prohibited items, mandating rigorous security searches. Because pyrotechnics generate extreme heat, risk crowd panic and disrupt play, they are entirely banned in spectator areas. CAF scales financial penalties based on incident severity. Standard fines for a first or minor offence typically range from US$5 000 to US$20 000 (roughly E85 000 to E340 000). Repeated offences can trigger escalated financial penalties and severe non-financial sanctions. CAF's Disciplinary Board heavily penalises clubs across both the Champions League and Confederation Cup. Notable recent examples from December 2024 include Morocco's AS FAR, who were fined US$5 000 specifically for fans' use of smoke bombs, and Algeria's CR Belouizdad, who were hit with a US$10 000 fine (with US$5 000 suspended for 12 months) for a similar offence against Orlando Pirates.

Eswatini’s 2026/27 CAF Champions League envoys, Nsingizini Hotspurs, risk a fine of over E80 000 (US$5 000) if they continue to use smoke bombs, especially in continental fixtures.