Last month Mbabane Highlanders fans were fined E70 000 for attacking a referee, subsequently they played their home game against Tambuti in an empty stadium
Mbabane-Mbabane Swallows fans did the unthinkable in their week derby game against Mbabane Highlanders. After losing 1-2 to their rivals their fans then entered the field of play, baying for the referee’s blood.
This conduct is similar to that displayed by the same Mbabane Highlanders team just a month ago, Mbabane Swallows are now facing a fine of not less than E240 000.They are also in danger of playing one of their home games without fans as that happened to Mbabane Highlanders when they played their game against Tambuti.
The red and white capital city giants will suffer this financial setback as their fans contravened multiple sections of the 2022/2023 MTN Premier League Rules and Regulations.
Chaos engulfed Mavuso Sports Centre after ‘Birds’ fans were dissatisfied with their team’s defeat. They complained about two of their teams’ goals which were disallowed on the day. Among the offences committed by Swallows was the assault on the referee of the day Thembinkosi Dlamini and they stand to be fined not less than E50 000 for the assault of the referee, as outlined in Article 10 (6.3) of the rules. This charge may be accompanied by other counts of uttering derogatory words to the match officials.
Article10 (6.1) and (6.6) also talks of a summarily fine of E25 000 for invading the pitch and at least E20 000, for throwing objects into the field of play, respectively.
The Premier League of Eswatini is expected to charge Swallows who will have to appear before the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Disciplinary Committee. Swallows further face a E25 000 fine for failure to control fans. This was exacerbated by the stabbing of a Mbabane Highlanders fan. The stabbing of the fan is frowned upon by the rules and the guilty party faces a fine of not less than E25 000.
The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Football Manager Pat Vilakati said they were aware of the issue but referred all enquiries to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenneth Makhanya. The latter said he would not be able to comment until he got the match reports. As per the rules of the game, a referee’s and match commissioner’s report presented in hard copy or through electronic means, is to reach the offices of the PLE by 4pm two days following the match in question.
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