SHOCKER AS ... ‘BIRDS’ OFFICIAL ARRESTED FOR REF’S ASSAULT

MBABANE – A top Mbabane Swallows Women’s team official has been arrested for assaulting a Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) female referee.

The names of the official and referee are deliberately withheld by this publication pending the alleged offender’s appearance in court.

Incident

The incident is said to have happened during the first weekend of this month. The alleged perpetrator is said to have committed this offence during their goalless draw with Elangeni Ladies at Ecinisweni Sports Ground.  According to a witness, the incident was sparked by the referee’s decision, where she overruled her assistant, which did not sit well with the official.

“There was an offside which the assistant flagged on but was ignored by the referee as the ball stretched to the goalkeeper. “Unfortunately, the goalkeeper picked it outside the box to give it to give her players for an offside. However, that wasn’t the case as she found guilty for ball handling outside the box,” the   source alleged.

The witness alleged that the official went straight to referee after the match. However, they did not see what happened, but they suspected that he head butted her. The witness alleged that the referee opted to lay a formal charge against the official. Meanwhile, a well-placed source within the ‘Birds’ ladies team revealed that the official is set to resign following his misconduct.

Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed that a man was arrested in connection with the assault of a woman two weeks ago. On the other hand, Eswatini Women’s Football League (EWFL) Chief Operations Officer (COO) Ntandoyenkosi Hlatshwayo was coy to comment on the issue.  

“All first round cases are pending to appear before the EFA disciplinary committee. I cannot talk about each case received by the office before the verdicts have been received,” Hlatshwayo said. Meanwhile, according to the EWFL Rules and Regulations, the offender, if hauled before the EFA Disciplinary Committee (DC), may be fined E6 000. An unbecoming behaviour, attempting to act or acting to bring football into disrepute: carries a minimum fine of E1 000. In addition, assault has a minimum fine of E5 000 or a three-game suspension.

Possible charges:

Unbecoming behaviour, attempting to act or acting to bring football into dispute and/or disrepute, the offender faces a minimum fine of E1 000. Assaulting the match official, opposing team’s player(s), teammates/officials, fan(s)/supporter(s)/member(s)/referee/match commissioner, carries a minimum fine of E5 000 and in addition the club may be ordered to compensate the victim for any loss incurred as a result of the assault and the offending player(s), official(s) or fan(s) shall be suspended for a period of three official games.

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