By MICHAEL MIYOBA
THE Disciplinary Committee of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has handed relegated Nchanga Rangers a K50, 000 fine for a violent incident that saw Power Dynamos midfielder Joshua Mutale stoned during the Week 30 match involving the two sides.
Mutale was stoned by an unidentified spectator during a fixture which was beamed live on pay TV and ended goalless at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola.
“Particulars of the offence are that Nchanga Rangers fans misconducted themselves against Power Dynamos FC during the week 30 fixture of the MTN Super League between Nchanga Rangers and Power Dynamos,” read the charge sheet.
Nchanga Rangers pleaded for leniency and disclosed that they took some steps to double up security after the incident.
“Having taken into account the mitigation, respondent’s plea for lenience as well as demonstrating that they had doubled the number of the State Police ensuring high security, the respondent is fined ZMW 50, 000.00,” read part of the verdict.
Meanwhile, FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga said it is the association’s hope that next season, clubs would handle safety matters better.
“We do not derive pleasure in handing out these sanctions, but we are mindful that football is a rule-based sport that should be safe for anyone to enjoy,” Kamanga said in a statement issued by FAZ Communications Manager Sydney Mungala.
