TEAMS FINES HIT E121 000

MBABANE – The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) has so far accumulated E121 000 worth of summary fines resulting from clubs’ failure to abide by the 2019/2020 MTN PLE Rules and Regulations, as well as the MTN First Division League Rules and Regulations.

This was confirmed by PLE Chief Executive Officer (COO) Pat Vilakati.
These offences include failure to honour games, late-coming during games, and unsporting behaviour such as invading the pitch by fans.

According to article 4, section 10 of the 2019/2020  MTN PLE Rules and Regulations, “Each club shall be at the card-checking point ready for checking 45 minutes before the scheduled start of the match. The PLE official will inform the clubs of any delay and further inform them of the new card checking time. Failure of a club to report, as in 4.10 above, shall be summarily fined an amount of E10 000 by the PLE”.

For this offence, Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows appears three times on the offenders’ list, resulting from latecoming in their fixtures for August 17, 18 and September 29.

Moneni Pirates appear twice and are liable to pay E40 000, of which E10 000 is for latecoming and the E30 000 for reporting for card checking within 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time with reference to article 4.15, which reads: “Any club reporting for card checking within 15 minutes from the scheduled starting time of the match shall be summarily fined an amount of E30 000 by the PLE.

Mbabane Swallows were charged E15 000 resulting from fans invading the soccer field in celebration of a goal during a game against Tambuti.
The game was played at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium on August 25, 2019 and Swallows won 5-0. Article 7.1 reads; “Invading or attempting to invade the pitch for any reason during a game by a supporter(s), fan(s), a marshal(s) or spectator(s) (save for the reasons of crowd safety) a summary fine of E 15 000 shall be payable to the PLE”.

Meanwhile, Madlenya Football Club and Umbelebele were charged for contravening the MTN First Division rule of Article 4, section 17, and liable to pay E5 000 each.

Vilakati urged teams to be well versed with the league rules and regulations in order to avoid the summary fines at the teams’ expense. He said latecoming was utterly unprofessional and a disorganisation of the entire fixture, which, he said, was an inconvenience for other teams and spectators.

“All teams are urged to conform to the rules and regulations at all costs. If a team appears frequently for the same offence, the fine will be increased. Teams and should be cautious of their behaviour, starting from the dressing rooms to the pitch and after the game. All players, coaches and officials should read and master the rules of face the consequences of committing the offences,” said Vilakati.

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