The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) have condemned the recent fan violence incidents that have rocked the Premier League of Eswatini.
Match officials have had to be escorted out of stadiums due to fan violence that threatened their lives most recently.
A referee had to run for dear life after Mbabane Highlanders fans stormed the field to physically harass him.
This was after their opponents Manzini Sea Birds scored their winning goal through what visibly looked like a handball.
In another incident match officials had to be whisked away during a match between Mbabane Swallows and Mbabane Highlanders.
FAN VIOLENCE CONDEMNED
In a statement, EFA said the fan violence in the local league is regrettable.
“The observed emergence of scenes of violence in some of the football matches of the premier league critically threatens the game’s universally envisaged accuracy of the image,” read the statement.
“At the very outset, Eswatini Football Association expresses its regret on the unfortunate scenes of violence. In this regard would like to express a note of empathy and sympathy with all those that have been affected in various ways.
‘A meeting of the critical stakeholders has been convened. All the critical stakeholders were reminded of their core responsibilities. The conduct and expected performances in the execution of matches to the satisfaction of organizers, the participants, the sponsors and the fans, albeit imperfectly,” they said.
“It has been agreed that all the applicable stakeholders have to do due diligence as they implement their responsibilities. Relevant structures present to assure the appropriate performance of all structures are enhanced, including capacitation where possible.”
Meanwhile, the Premier League of eSwatini have postponed their league matches which were scheduled for 30/31 December to 4 January 2023.
This is due to the safety concerns of match officials which are still being addressed.
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