‘BIRDS’, LEOPARD FACE NOT LESS THAN E50K FINES

MBABANE – The ugly scenes witnessed during the opening of the MTN Premier League may come at a huge cost for both Royal Leopard and Mbabane Swallows.

The two teams will face charges that could attract fines of not less than E50 000 each if found guilty by the Disciplinary Committee (DC) after fans and technical staff from both clubs were involved in a scuffle during and after the match at Mavuso Sports Centre on Saturday. A source close to the matter said a match official would definitely include the incidences in their reports which they are expected to be submitted to the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) offices today. Some of the charges expected to be faced by the rivals is failure to control to control fan (s) supporter (s) official (s), marshal (s) and the fine is not less than E25 000 according to the 2021/ 22 MTN Premier League rules and regulations. During the skirmish in the Royal Leopard technical area, Doctor Christian Hleta was shown a red card while the availability of security personal saved the day as they were able to push back the fans who invaded the technical area.

Attack

Leopard Coach Edwin Matsebula was under attack after the 1-0 victory as a hailstorm of cans and other objects were directed towards him. He was whisked out of the Mavuso Sports Centre in a Police van. The PLE will wait for the match officials’ reports being the stadium representative, match commissioner and the referee. Mbongeni Shongwe was the referee on the day while Match Commissioner was Sabelo Kunene.

Some of the likely charges: Article 7

1 (a). Invading the pitch before, during, and after a game by a supporter (s), fan (s), a marshal (s) or spectator (s) (unless authorized by official in a final) in celebrations of a goal (s) – a summary fine of E15 000 by the PLE.
(b) Threatening by conduct or words to assault or attempt to assault a referee, PLE official, player, club official, marshal, supporter, fan, spectator – a minimum fine of E10 000 and also a maximum fine of E30 000. In addition, the offending club shall be ordered to compensate the victim for any financial loss incurred due to the assault by the DC.
(f) Throwing objects of any kind onto the field of play or its surroundings or unto any person (s) thus assaulting or attempting to assault and invading the field of play – a fine not less than E10 000 by the DC.
(g) Failure to control fan (s) supporter (s) official (s), marshal (s) – fine not less than E25 000 by the DC.

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