GATE TAKINGS TO BE SHARED EQUALLY - PLE
Highlanders concerned that forces sides will benefit unnecessarily
MBABANE - After all has been said and done, the Ingwenyama Cup semi-finalists will share gate collections equally.
Initially, the capital city giants Mbabane Swallows and Highlanders had proposed that they receive 80 per cent of the gate takings, while suggesting that the forces should get 20 per cent. The Mbabane giants also proposed that the fans attending the derby be clearly identified upon entry so that all the money from the gate takings for the derby would be divided between the two sides.
However, according to Highlanders PRO Kenneth Dlamini, it has been resolved that all four teams, including Green Mamba and Young Buffaloes, would receive an equal share after the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) had deducted its 25 per cent and other necessary expenses.
“We have been informed that we will all receive an equal share, and we feel it is unfair on our side. However, there is nothing we can do about it now but abide by the final decision,” Dlamini said.
He further expressed belief that the forces side would benefit unnecessarily from this big derby since they have a few fans compared to the Mbabane teams. “If we are realistic and practical, we deserve a bigger share than the forces teams because we have more fans than them,” he said.
Fair
He stated that they would go and play in the spirit of fair play and act as if nothing had happened. “To our supporters who were hoping that everything would go accordingly, it is sad to say that we had to settle for this. Let us embrace their decision and come in numbers to support football,” he added.
He also expressed the need for a holistic and fair approach in the future, as they felt that other teams were benefitting from others.
Swallows PRO Knowledge Ngwenya stated that they accepted the decision and were ready for the game on Sunday. When asked why their proposal was not granted, he explained that they were told it had been a practice for teams to share 25 per cent each in a double-header. He mentioned that the committee informed them that if they were to change that, it would have to be done in the 7th edition, as teams had always shared gate takings equally.
Meanwhile, Green Mamba Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mandla Sibiya expressed his concern, stating that FIFA advocates for fair play and no discrimination in football. He found it saddening that the proposed changes pushed by the two teams showed discrimination.
He wondered what would happen if there were neutral fans and where the gate takings would go to which team.
Relevant
“This is the first time such a situation has occurred in the tournament, and it is unheard of. I call upon all relevant stakeholders to reason and let football be the winner,” Sibiya said.
PLE CEO Kenneth Makhanya stated that the PLE Executive Committee (ExCo) met with the semi-finalists of the Ingwenyama Cup at the request of Highlanders and Swallows to discuss the organisation of the semi-finals.
“The clubs made their submissions to the PLE Executive Committee, and all clubs accepted that the semi-final fixtures, as published by the Ingwenyama Cup MC, stand.
“The sharing formula that has been used in the competition will be used – all clubs will share equally,” Makhanya said.
He mentioned that the concerns raised by two clubs had been considered and would be addressed by the PLE going forward.