Ferwafa chief Nzamwita condemns hooliganism

RWANDA Football Federation president Vincent ‘Degaule’ Nzamwita has strongly condemned the violence that occurred at Amahoro stadium during a Turbo King Football league match between Rayon Sports and AS Kigali on Sunday. Nzamwita vowed to act tough on hooligans saying they had no place in Rwandan football. He described their actions as a disgrace to the principles of sportsmanship. “It is sad to see such hooliganism in Rwandan football, a game that should be celebrated. I wonder how people can decide to be violent. As a federation we cannot condone hooliganism in any form and we are going to take stern action against the perpetrators of this ugly vice that is taking us back to the dark ages, Nzamwita told Times Sport. The Ferwafa boss disclosed that the federation’s disciplinary commission will meet either today or tomorrow to discuss measures to take against perpetrators of such acts of hooliganism to deter future occurrences. Violence broke out when Rayon Sports head coach Luc Eymael and striker Cedric Amissi tried to have a go at the match referee Gervais Munyanziza in protest for the amount of time added on in stoppage time—the ref added four minutes yet Eymeal wanted eight. During the melee, Munyanziza issued a straight red-card to Amissi, a feat which angered Rayon Sports fans. The enraged fans started throwing stones and plastic water bottles causing pandemonium inside the stadium- a rare occurrence in Rwandan sport. Police intervened immediately and put the situation under control. All officials were evacuated unharmed as 12 people were arrested and detained in connection with the incident. The suspects are currently detained at Remera Police Station as investigations continue. The police said they were working with the football governing body, Ferwafa and other sports associations to prevent such behavior in the future. Amin Mwizerwa put Andre Casa Mbungo’s AS Kigali ahead after five minutes into the first half with a superb header before defender Arafat Serugendo equalised for Rayon Sports 12 minutes later. The result saw Rayon Sports lose their grip on top spot in the national football league to APR FC by two points with two rounds of matches remaining. Rayon to act on violent fans Meanwhile, Rayon Sports has condemned the acts of hooliganism that re-surfaced when their violent fans vandalised property at Amahoro stadium. The club president Theogene Ntampaka said in a statement that the Nyanza-based club will never allow acts of hooliganism and will act accordingly so as to prevent such events from occurring again in Rwanda football. “We (Rayon Sports) are against hooliganism and we are carrying out investigations to take stringent measures to deal with such vices. Hooliganism should not be considered as a one club affair and it should be condemned by all stakeholders.” “Hooliganism must be phased out and it needs a multi-faceted approach. However before that is done we have to accept that it exists among us as the first step to find a lasting solution,” the statement read in part.