MBABANE – Celebrations at the Somhlolo National Stadium turned into a public health concern this past Sunday.
Nsingizini Hotspurs’ championship festivities were marred by the unauthorised use of smoke bombs, resulting in respiratory distress for several spectators. During the trophy presentation, supporters ignited canisters emitting thick green smoke to signal their title win, and the fumes quickly enveloped sections of the stands, triggering immediate health complications for attendees and prompting an urgent intervention by the Royal Eswatini Police Service.
In a stern statement, the police condemned the actions as a severe breach of safety protocols, with Acting Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Mazwi Ndzimandze confirming that the force is treating the matter as gross criminal negligence under the Public Order Act No. 12 of 2017.
This incident directly violates the CAF Safety and Security Regulations, specifically Article 20, which explicitly prohibits the possession or use of any pyrotechnic devices, including smoke bombs, fireworks and flares, within a stadium because these items increase the risk of fire and are harmful to health. Clubs found in breach of these regulations typically face stringent sanctions from both the local Football Association and Confederation of African Football (CAF), with penalties often including heavy financial fines ranging from E95 000 to over E380 000 depending on the severity and recurrence of the offence.
The use of pyrotechnics or smoke bombs is a recurring issue in world football, and the consequences are often severe, as demonstrated during the 2019/2020 CAF Champions League when ES Tunis faced significant sanctions, including fines and closed-door matches, after their supporters’ repeated use of pyrotechnics created hazardous conditions.
Similarly, in European football, clubs like Eintracht Frankfurt have frequently faced massive fines from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) running into millions of Emalangeni due to their supporters’ persistent use of flares, proving that governing bodies hold the club strictly liable for the actions of their support base.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Nsingizini Chief Executive Officer, Banele Ngobe, were unsuccessful, as he could not be reached for comment at the time of writing. Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Marketing and Communications Officer, Muzi Radebe, confirmed that such actions are strictly prohibited under CAF regulations.
CAF Safety Guidelines: Section 2
CAF strictly prohibits the use, possession and distribution of pyrotechnics within stadiums during football events, including AFCON. This regulation is enforced to ensure spectator safety and prevent match disruptions. Violations may result in penalties, stadium bans or other disciplinary sanctions.
CAF mandates close coordination between security officers, match organisers and local authorities to monitor and enforce compliance.
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