CAF fines FAZ $10,000 for crowd trouble at levy

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has been fined US$10,000 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) 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 Leone Stars.

FAZ General Secretary, Reuben Kamanga, said CAF had fined FAZ US$10, 000 for pitch invasion and failure to maintain adequate security measures during the match.

“CAF Disciplinary Board decides: To impose on the Football Association of Zambia a fine of US$ 20,000 for pitch invasion and failure to maintain adequate security measures during the match,” Kamanga quotes correspondence from CAF.

“The US$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. If the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) commits a similar infraction during this period, the US$10,000 suspended fine will be automatically imposed, notwithstanding other sanctions that the CAF Disciplinary Board may impose.”

In a statement by FAZ Communications manager, Sydney Mungala, the CAF note further reads, “The fine is to 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,” he said.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.