FOOTBALL Association of Zambia will have to cough out US$10,000 as fine for failure to maintain fans who breached security and invaded the pitch during an Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) qualifiers match in October.
In a statement, FAZ communications manager Sydney Mungala disclosed that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) sanctioned the association for breach of security standards and also pitch invasion by fans during the October 9, 2024 Group G Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the Chipolopolo and Sierra Leone.
“CAF Disciplinary Board [has decided] to impose on the Football Association of Zambia a fine of USD 20,000 for pitch invasion and failure to maintain adequate security measures during the match,” FAZ general secretary Reuben Kamanga quoted correspondence from CAF.
“USD 10,000 of the aforementioned fine is suspended provided that the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is not found guilty of a similar incident for a period of twelve (12) months.”
However CAF stated that If FAZ commits a similar offence during the one year period, the USD 10,000 suspended fine will be automatically imposed, “notwithstanding other sanctions that the CAF Disciplinary Board may impose.”
The CAF ordered that the fine be paid within 60 days of notification of the present decision.
Kamanga has advised fans to conduct themselves better in 2025 to avoid being sanctioned by CAF and FIFA.
“We have repeatedly warned fans to desist from throwing missiles on the pitch or invade the pitch during matches either in protest or celebration.”
” The sanctions can be as high as being banned from playing matches at home. We appeal to fans to behave better in 2025 and make the stadium safer for families to attend matches,” said Kamanga.
By Moses Makwaya
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