A media release from the FIFA communications division in Zurich has expressed serious concern about breach of safety and security precautions during the preliminary matches.
“FIFA expressed its concern about general behaviour of fans at preliminary matches, as the world governing body for football is also looking into reported instances of crowd disturbances in other preliminary matches in Africa, Europe and Central America. The reported incidents involve spectator pitch invasions (Botswana-Kenya and Panama-Jamaica), missiles being thrown onto the pitch (Bosnia-Herzegovina-Serbia and Montenegro, Malawi-Tunisia, Sudan-Cameroon and Honduras-Canada) and racist chants (Macedonia FYR-Netherlands),” reads the release.
The release also says that FIFA and the involved football federations are working closely with local and national law enforcement officials to ascertain the facts surrounding both incidents.
However, chief executive officer (CEO) of BFA, Thabo Ntshinogang told Mmegi Sport yesterday that they have only been warned about pitch invasion following the match commissioners report to FIFA.
The BFA chief said FIFA only threatened in its correspondence with BFA to “institute the necessary disciplinary measures” if the same incident occurs again. He said such measures “differ on the basis of the gravity of the matter. It may be a monetary fine or suspension from using the home ground”.
He said FIFA’s concern for the fans’ celebration in the pitch is that “it can be pursued as something that compromises the security of the referees”.
He said BFA would now tighten the security at the Zebras’ matches to avoid the wrath of FIFA. “FIFA takes such matters extremely seriously and will take strong action if necessary, as the world governing body for football is determined to ensure that the required safety and security measures for hosting these matches are fully implemented for every game,” says the release.
Former chairman of the Zebras Supporters Club, Maokaneng Bontshetse said he was not aware of the consequences of such an incident, as it has always happened before. “The same thing happened while we were in Lesotho and when we were beaten by Swaziland but nobody ever said anything. By the way, I will consult the executive committee of the club and look into the issue,” he promised.
Meanwhile, FIFA is also investigating reports of breach of safety and security precautions at the Togo-Mali match that resulted in the death of four fans attending the game in Kegue Stadium, Togo on 10 October. But initial reports of spectator deaths at the Guinea-Morocco preliminary match proved to be unfounded.
