Hosts El Merreikh fined $5,000 for crowd trouble

KHARTOUM, SUDAN- Hosts of the Cecafa-Kagame Club Championships El Merreikh FC have been fined US$5,000 for failing to control their fans during their semi-final clash with TP Mazembe that was marred by agly scenes. The organizing committee of the tournament sat yesterday and made the decision after reading through the referee Mufa Ngobi and the match commissioner’s reports. It was noted that the situation was aggravated by fans and club officials, from both sides. During the match fans threw objects on the pitch injuring the second assistant referee, Hamisi Changwalu from Tanzania and a security man on duty. Both officials were treated at the stadium. After the match, several players were engaged in fist fights, encouraged by team officials. While El Merreikh FC have been asked to pay US$5,000 before today’s (Saturday) pre-match meeting, their senior team manager Adel Abugeresha has been banned from the rest of the tournament for his role in the post match skirmishes. He is subsequently unwanted in the team’s dressing room, the technical bench and the VIP Pavilion. He is also severely reprimanded and warned that future misconduct may result in a much stiffer punishment. Likewise, the TP Mazembe equipment manager has been banned from the team’s dressing room and the technical bench for his role in inciting his players and provoking fans after the match. The committee however appreciated the role played by TP Mazembe leader of delegation Freddy Kitenge in calming down his players during the skirmishes. “He showed good leadership that should be emulated by all,” said Cecaf’s secretary General Nicholas Musonye. Ends