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Indications have emerged as to why Bauleni United Sports Academy (BUSA) may have attacked match officials in the aftermath of Green Eagles’ 2-1 victory over BUSA at Crested Crane Academy on Tuesday in Lusaka.
Poor officiating and use of bad language by the referee reportedly triggered the mayhem.
According to BUSA General Secretary, Fred Kangwa, the referee made snide remarks about the BUSA goal keeper, Getrude Afumba, mocking her of being pregnant as reason why she conceded the two goals.
Kangwa and the three players identified as Gertrude Afumba, Sheila Namuzungu and Grace Phiri are alleged to have attacked match officials in the aftermath of Green Eagles’ 2-1 victory over BUSA at Crested Crane Academy.
Kangwa and the three players were said to have breached Article 49 (1) (2) of the FAZ Disciplinary Code of 2021 that covers conduct against match officials during and after a football match.
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But reacting, Kangwa said Green Eagles were not honest in their report as the remarks made by the referee angered the goal keeper who retaliated by kicking him.
Kangwa who denied taking part in the fracas said he was nowhere near the violence that was triggered by poor officiating and bad language by the referee.
“When the game finished our goal keeper went to confront the ref who told her that she was pregnant that’s why she was scored, that’s when our goal keeper kicked the ref and when that happened I rushed to separate them not to take part in the fight.
“As I was talking to our player because we also don’t condone what she did despite having been provoked, the supporters went into the ground to attack the ref. By then I wasn’t even anywhere close to the scene. I was even surprised that Green Eagles said that I beat up their media officer,” he said.
Kangwa also noted that the fans who attacked the referee were not BUSA fans.
Kangwa, however, said he had apologised for the chaos which erupted during a Week 31 FAZ Women’s Super League match between BUSA and Green Eagles Football Club.
On Tuesday, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) suspended BUSA General Secretary Fred Kangwa and three female players for alleged violent behaviour exhibited during the match played at Crested Crane Academy.
Acting FAZ General Secretary Iva Lengwe, confirmed the development in a statement issued by FAZ communications manager Sydney Mungala on Wednesday.
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Lengwe said the four suspended officials will not be allowed to participate in any football related activities until the disciplinary process has been exhausted in respect of article 53 (4) of the Disciplinary Code.
“The accused have until Friday (21.04.23) 14:00 hours to write exculpatory letters upon which the matter shall be forwarded to the relevant judicial bodies,” Lengwe said.
In response, Kangwa said: “We accept that our goal keeper kicked a referee and we apologize for that but for me and the other players mentioned we were nowhere near any violence. And for us we told the player that if FAZ will not act, the club will take action because we don’t tolerate that behaviour.”
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