The Football Association of Zambia has fined Green Buffaloes Football Club for their role in the confusion that erupted during the Week 11 MTN FAZ Super League tie at Arthur Davies Stadium.
According to a complaint by the host team, Power Dynamos, the visiting team, Green Buffaloes beat up Power Dynamos fans.
The FAZ Disciplinary Committee has found the Zambia army sponsored outfit in breach of article 67.2 of the Disciplinary Code and has fined them K150, 000.
“Following a complaint by Power Dynamos Football Club against Green Buffaloes Football Club fans that beat up the former’s supporters on November 5, 2022, in a Week 11 fixture at Arthur Davies Stadium, the Disciplinary Committee has fined the army side K150, 000 for their role in the chaos.
The FAZ Disciplinary Committee found Green Buffaloes in breach of article 67.2 of the Disciplinary Code.”
According to the verdict, Green Buffaloes fans had no right to engage in crowd control measures at a football match as it was a preserve of the Zambia Police.
“The second respondent (Green Buffaloes FC) exhibited extreme aggravating elements. It’s evident that its supporters accompanied by uniformed state soldiers walked from their allocated portion of the stadium to execute and occasion the beatings to the portion of the 1st respondent’s fans with what they have admitted as an act of ‘necessary evil’” reads part of the verdict.
“This action clearly flies in the face of the authority of the powers vested in the police by Chapter 107 of the Laws of Zambia and the Force standing orders and clearly undermines the prescriptions provided by the Defence Act. This clearly usurps the Zambia Police duties and undermines their presence.”
The Disciplinary Committee also noted that the respondents were not first offenders having pulled the same stunt on November 7, 2021, at Nkana Stadium during another league match.
“In terms of Article 67, section 2 of the Disciplinary Code, the 2nd Respondent is fined ZKW150, 000. The amount is to be paid within seven days of receipt of this verdict. The respondent is hereby further finally warned against allowing any uniformed personnel to involve themselves in any activity involving football on their match days, as they have shown clear disregard of statutes that govern the match day and their social responsibility as a club toward the betterment of the game,” reads the verdict.
FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala has urged clubs to always adhere to FAZ statutes in their management of matches even in the face of provocation.
“Let me thank the judicial bodies for their rapid adjudication of cases before them this season. It is a standard we intend to maintain in upholding the integrity of the game,” Kashala says.
“We expect that clubs will be more compliant with the laws of the game and also football regulations to avoid falling foul with the law.”
