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FIFA Fines FAZ Over Fans Misconduct
By Felix malunga | Bolazambia.com
FIFA has fined Zambia US$10,000 (about KR54, 000) following the hurling of missiles on the pitch by some fans during last weekend’s Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Jubilant Chipolopolo fans reacted by throwing an assortment of objects which included plastic bottles and empty cans of beer onto the pitch as Zambia thrashed Lesotho 4-0.
If this action by some fans is repeated this Saturday when the Chipolopolo face Sudan in another Group D World Cup qualifier at the same venue, Zambia will risk playing behind closed doors at home in future international engagements.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) treasurer, Kelvin Mutafu, who confirmed the FIFA fine, made a passionate appeal to soccer fans to celebrate with dignity and honour during the Sudan match.
Mutafu said FAZ expected the fans to exhibit their best behaviour during the last home game of the Brazil qualifiers in this round against Sudan and refrain from throwing objects whenever the Chipolopolo score.
In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Mutafu advised fans to be mindful of the consequences of such behaviour, warning that unruly fans risked being thrown out of the stadium.
He also warned against smuggling of alcohol in the standium, saying those found wanting would be dealt with by the police.
“Throwing of bottles and pouring of beer on others will not be permitted this weekend as no alcohol will be allowed into the stadium,” he said.
Mutafu said fans should be aware that if they continued celebrating by throwing missiles on the pitch, Zambia risked playing home games before empty stands and even suffering further sanctions from FIFA.
And in a statement released yesterday, FAZ spokesperson Erick Mwanza advised fans to be cautious of the FIFA sanctions and avoid throwing plastic water bottles in the stands and running track.
Mwanza said such celebratory performances, as seen during last Saturday’s match against Lesotho would be mistaken for hooliganism.
Mwanza said there were better ways of expressing joy or celebrating a goal than throwing empty water bottles in the stands or track.
“We all need to be responsible for safeguarding our infrastructure and our continued enjoyment of such modern facilities as the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium can only be guaranteed if we guard them jealously. We should also engage in activities and celebrations that may not raise unnecessary alarm, but adhere to the rules and regulations that govern events hosted at such arenas,” Mwanza said.
Posted by
isaac
June 12, 2013 at 9:10 am
Zambians!Zambians!Zambians! why doing that as if the match was not won, why why? pelting missiles on the pitch as if game was not in our hands. This can change the morale booster og ZAMBIA VS SUDAN. How foolish are we sometimes?
STORM
June 12, 2013 at 9:21 am
Most Zambian youths drink too much so you expect that kind of conduct when beer is allowed in the stadium. when we kill the source of the problem we eliminate the vice.
cash money
June 12, 2013 at 9:36 am
its because alcohol was sold in the stadium.
Popopo
June 12, 2013 at 9:36 am
Misleading article ba Tumfweko Erick Mwanza ZNBC news at 19:00hrs said we risk to be fined if we dnt change our behaviour as fans but today you are saying FAZ has been fined, how true is this? Objects were on the running track really that was bad am aganst
Ndelole shafye
June 12, 2013 at 9:37 am
The gate price should be hiked,so that only responsible people who know the value of their money can b/have in a football supporters manner.
SISTER
June 12, 2013 at 10:01 am
Zambians love ifiko. We are used to throwing litter just any how.
CACINE
June 12, 2013 at 10:52 am
It is very true. It Zambians like ifiko apali ponse.Better not to allow anything in the stadium ifyama botolobotolo. Why should people misbehave in such a manner sure? I ditaste this kind of foolish behavior by my fellow Zambians.
Muyembe
June 12, 2013 at 10:16 am
Please raise the gate takings so we get back the money.
Popopo
June 12, 2013 at 11:45 am
Popopo is in support of hiking gate takings, especially the upper dock its were unrully fans are those who pay Kr50 and Kr20 respectively last week nalisamba sana ubwalwa pa lower deck. FAZ please increase!
Nalipata abantu aba samwa naba fiko
June 12, 2013 at 11:49 am
Really regardless of how excited I can be, that is one behaviour I take exception from. I have learnt that abantu abasamwa are usually carefree!So I would like to urge INSAMWEE nshonse to bahave this weekend so that this bad behaviour is put to a STOP.Ala mulefwaya mule nsebanya ati we are not well behaved and that we throw litter anyhow mu Zambia and yet ine eko naba kuno ku Zambia uushaba ifyo!!!
zimandola
June 12, 2013 at 12:35 pm
Sad indeed! I put the blame on us fans and together with the ZP/Security personnel, because the ZP were there to maintain law and order but they were busy watching the game. ZP/security personnel shud face the fans so that it will be easy to identify the culprits instead of them watching the game because that’s there job. This also goes to you the fans, let’s help the police by not throwing the bottles in the pitch.
saks
June 12, 2013 at 12:46 pm
That’s the problem with cheap tickets, even kaponyas could afford to buy and cause troubles in the stadium. FAZ pls increase the prices to kip away the hooligans.
Mundia M
June 12, 2013 at 4:50 pm
FAZ, kindly increase the tickets so that the lowest price should be Kr50 and keep the cheap tickets few as a lesson against hooliganism.
All hooligans from last week-end should be ashamed of themselves.
In addition to the missiles, some had fireworks which they were releasing even causing burns to other fans regalia.
I watched the match from my living room as I had gone to see my daughter at Fatima and could not make the stadium. I gave my ticket to my son’s friend.
This week-end I intend to watch Zambia beating Sudan 2-o live and without some lunatic pouring beer on me.
Bobo
June 12, 2013 at 5:14 pm
Ban utujilijili
kakolwe
June 13, 2013 at 4:07 am
Plz, instal cctv in stadium, beam the shots of captured lunatics & prosecute them. Fikalatiinako when they see themselves on the big screen.
Timbwi
June 13, 2013 at 9:13 am
I was very angry at my fellow supporters. I even came to a point of fearing any more goals being scored by Zambia because this was happening everytime Zambia scores. The question i was asking was am i by mistake in Lesotho? Because truly, the opposite was happening.
isaac
June 13, 2013 at 9:58 am
I have come to understand that it is not true that FIFA has punished ZAMBIA the truth is that Eick Mwanza warned the fans to be careful because FIFA can fine us thats what i heard.
sunzu
June 13, 2013 at 6:01 pm
Hiking the price is not a solution its a matter of behaving oneself. Even if tickets were 1million each pipo will still buy. Let’s behave
killer
June 13, 2013 at 8:15 pm
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