AMBIGUITY IN LEAGUE RULES SAVES ‘BULL’

MBABANE – A contentious clause in the 2022/23 MTN Premier League Rules and Regulations has saved Mbabane Highlanders from the wrath of the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Disciplinary Committee (DC).

This transpired during the case involving the capital city giants, after they were hauled before the DC last Thursday night at Sigwaca House, when DC Chairman Lawyer Thulani Sibandze was about to pass his judgment on the matter. According to reports which were brought before the DC, the black and white capital giants were charged on three counts for contriving Articles 10.6.2, 10.6.5 and 10.6.7 of the 2022/23 MTN Premier League Rules and Regulations.

The ‘Bull’ were represented by top Lawyer Bongani ‘Bhanyaza’ Mdluli in the case, where Highlanders escaped being docked three points and the same number of goals as per Article 10. 11. The latter article states that the DC shall double the fine, if a club appeared for a second time on similar charges of violence and use of foreign substances. This happens if the team was found guilty.

Further, a club shall lose three points and the same number of goals from their accumulated number of points. Highlanders were appearing for the second time before the DC, as they  were hauled for the mayhem they caused at Mavuso Sports Centre. In the first instance, their supporters invaded the pitch in pursuit of referee Mbongeni Shongwe, who had allowed a ‘hand of God’ goal scored by Manzini Sea Birds’ Sandumenzi Zwane.

Commotion

On Thursday, the team appeared for the commotion that happened at the same venue, for blocking the tunnels as they waited for the match officials, as they alleged had ruled out a goal scored by Philani Mkhonto in the dying minutes of the game against Young Buffaloes.

The DC was left with no option but to fine Highlanders on two counts, which carried a total fine of E40 000 and could not use Article 10.11 after Mdluli successfully argued that the rule could not be applied  because those who drafted them used the word ‘and’ instead of ‘or’. The chairman blamed those who drafted the rules, as Highlanders escaped being docked the points and goals. The final verdict of the DC was that Highlanders were wrongly charged on this article.

At the end, the Solly Luvhengo-led side were fined for contravening  10.6.2  by threatening conduct or words to assault or attempt to assault a referee, PLE official, player, club official, steward, supporter, fan, spectator.
This offence is punishable with a minimum fine of E10 000 and a maximum of E30 000.

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.   They were further adjudged to have contravened Article 10.6.7 which is about failure to control fan(s), supporter(s), official(s), and steward. This offence attracts a fine not less than E25 000 by the DC.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: