DRAMA IN LEAGUE ENCOUNTER, AS: MADLENYA PLAYERS IMPLICATED IN ASSAULT

MBABANE – Drama.

This is the story of some of MTN Premier League outfits Madlenya FC players who allegedly beat Moneni Pirates Kit Manager Ndiphethe Dlamini. A source close to the matter revealed that the incident happened before the start of the league game between the Lubombo-based side and the ‘Sea Robbers’ of Moneni, which was played at the Tambankulu Stadium this past Saturday. The game ended in a 1-all draw.

The source said the commotion occurred behind the dressing rooms of the stadium, as Dlamini was rushing to fetch a bag from the team’s bus, which was parked outside the venue, as cars were not allowed inside the stadium. He added that the quick intervention of the Gcina Dlamini-coached side veteran defender Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane, as well as a Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) official saved Dlamini.

The Pirates official confirmed that the Madlenya players attacked and assaulted him while he was rushing to get a bag from the bus. “Yes, it is true that the players assaulted me, they nearly killed me behind the dressing rooms as I was on my way to get a bag from the bus. They asked me what I was doing behind the dressing rooms and I was trying to explain my case. The reserve goalkeeper hit me in the head with a pair of soccer boots,” Dlamini said.

He said as he was trying to reason with the goalkeeper when defender Gift Gamedze allegedly kicked him and the rest of the players joined in assaulting him. “I was saved by ‘Magawugawu’ and one of the Madlenya officials,” he said. He also revealed that he reported the matter to the Simunye Police Post, where he was given a letter to produce in hospital for treatment. He said upon arrival at the hospital, he was given painkillers and an injection. “They told me that should the pain persist, I should return. I am going back tomorrow as the pain is unbearable, especially on my rib cage,” he added.

The attack on Ndiphethe was also confirmed by Manager Twoman Masuku, who said he arrived late at the stadium and was met with the disturbing news. “I was told that he was saved by Magawugawu and our marshal when I arrived at the stadium,” Masuku said. He said Dlamini was rushed to hospital after the attack. “The commotion was captured in the match officials’ reports and we are hoping that the relevant authorities will address it,” he added.

Madlenya Marketing and Communications Manager Comfort Jele said this was novel to him, as nothing of that nature was reported to his office. “I am not aware of this as I was not at the venue, but I will check what really transpired on the day,” he said. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed that an assault case was opened by Dlamini in Simunye.

Meanwhile, such an act is frowned upon by the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Disciplinary Committee (DC) and should the match officials’ reports implicate the players, the team stands to be fined E80 000 for contravening the 2023/24 MTN Premier League Rules and Regulations Articles 55.3.5, 55.3.1 and 55.3.6.1.

The Articles in summary:
55.3.5 states that, assaulting a referee, PLE official, player, club official, supporter, fan, spectator or the use of excessive force, the offender shall be punished with a fine of not less than E40 000 by the DC. In addition, the offending club shall be ordered to compensate the victim for any financial loss incurred due to the assault or suspended for 13 matches.

55.3.1 states that, failing to conduct themselves in an orderly fashion and committing any act of unsporting behaviour carries a minimum fine of E20 000.

55.3.6.1 states that to directly or indirectly interrupt, obstruct or disturb the normal proceedings of a match before, during or after carries a minimum fine of E20 000.

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