‘BIRDS’ ESCAPE HEAVY FINE
Capital city giants to pay reduced E25 000 fine for commotion during Nsingizini game
MBABANE – Capital city giants, Mbabane Swallows, have dodged a bullet with the Premier League of Eswatini.
This was after their fine was cut to E25 000. The latest developments in this case reveal that the red and white Mbabane outfit have since been saved by the bell, as they were lucky to avoid the worst outcome by getting their fine reduced to E25 000, during their fine hearing held last Thursday at Sigwaca House.
This comes after the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) reportedly imposed a combined E25 000 in fines on Mbabane Swallows and Nsingizini Hotspurs for their unsporting behaviour last month.
This publication reported earlier this month that the two teams had players and officials implicated in the chaotic scenes that occurred during their MTN Premier League match last month at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium. Both teams’ actions reportedly drew the attention of the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) disciplinary committee (DC) due to
Chaotic
unsporting behaviour exhibited during the game, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
According to a report obtained from an impeccable source, it was reported that the account provided by FIFA-accredited Referee Thulani ‘Goje’ Sibandze, indicated that the chaotic clash was instigated by players Wendzile Lushaba of Nsingizini and Kwakhe Thwala of Swallows.
Both players were red-carded for violent conduct, following a headbutt. Pertaining the situation involving the two teams, the PLE then officially charged the teams for breaching the 2023/2024 MTN PLE Rules and Regulations. The Shiselweni-based outfit was fined E140 000 for violating four articles, while the capital city giants faced an E85 000 fine for breaching three rules.
According to the charge sheet, Nsingizini Hotspurs’ officials and players were found guilty of breaking Article 38.3.6.1 by invading the field of play and causing match disruption. They were also charged with inciting violence, in contravention of Article 38.3.6.5, and throwing foreign objects at Swallows officials and players, in violation of Article 38.3.3. Lastly, Hotspurs’ officials were charged with engaging in acts of violence, contravening Article 38.3.6.8.
Charges
Meanwhile, Swallows also faced charges for breaching the PLE Rules and Regulations. The team officials and players were found guilty of violating Article 38.3.6.1 by invading the field of play and causing match disruption. They were also charged for using offensive language, in contravention of Article 38.3.6.7, and engaging in acts of violence, in violation of Article 38.3.6.8.
Mbabane Swallows Public Relations Officer (PRO) Knowledge Ngwenya could not be reached for comment by the time of compiling this report.