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Botswana could face CAF sanctions over pitch invasion

Xinhua, September 6, 2015 Adjust font size:

Botswana could face sanctions from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a mass pitch invasion by fans in Francistown, the country's second largest city situated some 430km north of the capital, Gaborone on Saturday afternoon.

Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Tebogo Sebego told Xinhua Sunday in an interview that his association is likely to be charged between 5,000 U.S dollars to 10,000 dollars as punishment.

This is after fans invaded the pitch after the Zebras of Botswana secured a clinical 1-0 victory over the visiting Stallions of Burkina Faso during their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) second Group D qualifying game.

The Zebras lost their first Group D match to Uganda in Kampala in June. And a win over the much fancied Burkina Faso brought excess joy to the fans of this less populace diamond rich nation with an estimated population of 2.1 million people.

"CAF is likely to charge us," Sebego told Xinhua, adding that it is unfortunate that fans were "too excited" because of the win and forgot that invading the pitch will have serious consequences on Botswana's football governing body.

According to CAF regulations, the local football association shall ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadia and immediate and comply with and implement existing safety rules (FIFA and CAF Regulations, national laws, international agreements) and take every safety precaution demanded by circumstances before, during and after the match if accidents occur.

The rule states that National associations are held responsible for the behavior of their supporters (especially with regard to throwing missiles and invading the pitch) and auxiliary staff.

"It is a lesson to us as the BFA. Our fans need to be educated on the rules and regulations in order to avoid an incident of this nature in future," said Sebego, adding that the Botswana FA will take it upon itself to educate its supporters on how to behave during matches.

A CAF official who declined to be named said the continental football governing body is still awaiting the referee's report.

The official said the incident is likely to be addressed by the CAF organizing committee in their next meeting to be held in a not so distant future. Endi