…as it bans Nkana from using its home stadium after crowd trouble
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) disciplinary committee has banned Kitwe giants Nkana FC from using their home venue for games sanctioned by FAZ during the 2023/2024 football season.
According to a ruling obtained by The Daily Nation, the disciplinary committee chaired by Joseph Jalasi has sanctioned Nkana for the crowd trouble that occurred during the Kitwe derby on April 29, 2023 at the Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Power Dynamos stunned their troublesome rivals 2-0 in a fixture which was key to winning their seventh Super League title.
Nkana FC fans were found guilty of having caused the fracas which left some fans and police officers with serious injuries from the flying objects which characterised the clash between the two rival fans.
In response to FAZ and Power Dynamos as first and second complainant respectively, the disciplinary committee also ruled that Nkana as the respondents should play their home games 60-kilometres away from Nkana Stadium.
Nkana FC will also have to play the first 10 fixtures of the new season without spectators for a violent incident that saw the stoning of Green Eagles striker Derrick Bulaya during a Week 30 match played at Nkana Stadium on April 26.
“In line with the law and in public interest, the committee pronounces itself as follows; “Nkana Stadium is banned from hosting any match sanctioned by FAZ for the duration of the 2023-2024 season.”
“Furthermore, all matches sanctioned by FAZ against Nkana FC are to be played a minimum of 60 kilometres away from Nkana Stadium,” the ruling stated.
“The committee having identified the Nkana FC as being so heavily and aggressively determined to conceal some of its fans as being violent, hence the club being accessory after the fact would have in addition to the ban added a punitive fine but we are constrained as we feel the ban will deny the club some revenue and we hope that it will be sufficient remedy owing to the effect of the ban as it is traumatising enough to endure reformation,” the committee said.
The committee is said to have applied article 12(c) of the FAZ disciplinary code, 2021 which deters clubs from violent misconduct.
“The behaviour being so notorious as to require no evidence, this committee will keep a close eye of what unfolds in public interest,” the ruling said.
Nkana have the right to appeal the decision of the committee within 72 hours after notification of the ruling according to Article 119, 120 and 121 of the disciplinary code.
Meanwhile, Nkana has also been fined K50, 000 for a violent incident that saw the stoning of Green Eagles striker Derrick Bulaya during a Week 30 match played at Nkana Stadium on April 26.
Nkana have been ordered to reimburse Bulaya for all the medical and associated costs relating to the treatment of the injuries sustained within seven days of the federation scrutinising and approving the expenses.
