LOBAMBA – Members of Parliament (MPs) have raised urgent concerns regarding the standard of football officiating in Eswatini.
This follows recent scenes of violence that left an International Federation of Association Football (FIFA)-accredited referee injured.
The outcry follows the chaotic fixture between Mbabane Highlanders and Nsingizini Hotspurs, during which referee Celumusa Siphepho was assaulted by supporters.
Submitting their concerns at the House of Assembly during the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs annual performance report, lawmakers called for a formal investigation into the country’s judicial handling of the sport.
Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo led the charge.
“If the leadership of Eswatini football turns a blind eye to the fact that referees may be bought, perhaps it is because they are not well-paid,” Khumalo remarked. “I have a friend who has previously said the same regarding Zambia. While I cannot speak definitively on Eswatini, it is common knowledge. Football authorities must launch an investigation, even assuming such transactions occur in secret. Engaging in unruly behaviour at stadiums is unacceptable; it is ruining our football.”
MP Khumalo further challenged the Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima, to spearhead an inquiry into the violence.
“It is not enough to simply assume havoc was wreaked by the aggrieved party because they were losing. Highlanders are one of the teams with a large following that generates significant revenue for the sport. They should be punished if they are in the wrong; however, there must be deeper enquiries into the primary causes of violence during matches,” he added.
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