By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Disciplinary Committee has shut Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu Stadium following riotous behaviour by Kabwe Warriors fans during a Week 22 abandoned league match against Nkana.
Warriors’ home ground has been shut for the rest of the season after home fans rioted after their goal was disallowed with Nkana leading the match 1-0.
This decision by the Anthony Kasolo led Disciplinary Committee means that the Zambia Railways sponsored outfit will have to find an alternative venue that also meets Premier Division standards for their remaining home games.
The punishment meted to the club comes as no surprise as Warriors fans have been causing trouble lately and are responsible of the only three abandoned league games this year.
The other two abandonments were against Green Eagles in Week-Four clash and a Week-25 match against Zanaco.
During yesterday’s hearing held at Football House in Lusaka, the Kasolo led committee fined Warriors K15, 000 for crowed trouble over two games and picked up 300 penalty points with its coach Mohammed Fathy and vice-chairman Heyden Dingwall sternly warned for suggesting referees were against Warriors.
“The committee met yesterday and decided on three cases which recently exhibited an ugly face which should not be allowed in football, ultimately Godfrey Chitalu Stadium has been shut with immediate effect and for the rest of the season,” he said.
In the first case, where they hosted Nkana, Warriors were found guilty of causing the abandonment and on top of their stadium been shut, Warriors have been fined K5, 000 and accrued 150 penalty points. Nkana were awarded three points with a 2-0 scoreline.
In the second case where Warriors caused the abandonment of a week-25 match against Zanaco at Sunset, the fans rioted after the referee called back an equalising goal in injury time and caused the abandonment of a game with Zanaco awarded three points with a 2-0 score.
Warriors have, however, received a fine of K10, 000 bringing the total to K15, 000 with severe warning to club officials.
Meanwhile, in the other case that the committee handled involving Zanaco and Nkana during a Week-22 league match played at Sunset Stadium.
The match was dented by crowed trouble and ended 2-1 in favour of Nkana and the committee has been fined both clubs but with the champions needing to met cost for repair to the perimeter wall fence at Sunset Stadium which the Nkana fans damaged.
Nkana has been fined K5,000 for failing to control their fans and Zanaco also fined for not providing adequate security but the result stood.
The trouble came about when Nkana fans failed to stomach their team losing and caused trouble but when the game resumed, they scored twice late on to carry the day.