By Mike Rwothomio
Authorities and administrators of local football clubs in Zombo district have asked the Zombo district police department and the RDC of Zombo to keenly monitor local games that have become hotbeds of violence and bloodshed. #WhisperEyeNews
This is after several fans and players were injured and lost property in a violent clash between fans of Zeu central football club and Padea rising stars FC from Padea town council over the weekend.
The fans of the two clubs clashed in Jangokoro Sub-county when they met each other on the way from their league games which were played in different venues.
Reports indicate that football club fans have started arming themselves with machetes, pangas, and other rudimentary tools to defend themselves whilst attending local games in case of violence which has become the trademark of local football games.
Some of the evidence tabled Before the Zombo district football association disciplinary committee meeting at a cream land motel in Paidha town council over the weekend includes amongst others, more than five dismantled motorcycles belonging to some fans of Zeu Central football club, A fan who reportedly lost four teeth as a result of exchanged serious blows and punches, evidence of some players receiving treatment at various health facilities as a result of the fights amongst others.
The C.E.O of Zeu central football club Patrick Oweci ,who has called for thorough investigation into the incident has demanded for the intervention of security operatives based on the high level of hooliganism the local games have degenerated into.
Oweci claimed that More than five of his players and fans, were seriously beaten and injured and most of their sports kits were stolen during the violent clashes with Padea rising stars FC fans.
He is demanding that his counterpart pays for the damage.
“Zombo football games are becoming a security threat, the fans of Padea intercepted us and injured our several fans and players. One of our fans lost five teeth and you know the cost of replacement. This is not how football should be. We demand a thorough investigation into this incident and we request the police and RDC to intervene because the situation is getting out of hand and many people will start dying helplessly” Oweci explained.
A week ago, the two Zombo based fourth division sides also clashed at Zeu central football club playground in zeu sub county during their second leg meeting, which reportedly left some players of the visiting side Padea rising stars with some injuries.
Many local sports analysts zero down the high levels of hooliganism in local football across the region to the unprofessionalism of match officials that tend to favor mostly the home teams thus leaving the visiting sides disgruntled.
The club chairperson of Padea rising stars fc Daniel Oyeka Nyingwa has traded blame on poor games officiation.
Nyingwa said last week, many of his players and fans were seriously beaten by Fans of Zeu Central Fc in Zeu Sub county yet nothing has been done.
On the current accusations labeled against his club, Nyingwa said he can’t comment about something he has not witnessed
” Hooliganism in football is taking an upward trend in Zombo and security needs to beef up. Even last week some of our fans and players were seriously injured after they were beaten in Zeu Sub-county. This complaint coming up against our players and fans I can’t talk about it because I have not witnessed the facts. But the phone of a football fan of Zeu was taken back” Nyingwa Explained.
The chairman of Zeu central Fc fans Association Edwin Inke said last week, they survived by the mercy of the locals who kept them in a house after they came under attack by fans of Padea in Padea town that were armed with rudimentary tools ready to end their lives.
A disciplinary committee instituted by The Zombo district football association has recorded statements from all football clubs that have witnessed some sort of violence pending final ruling.
It’s not clear why many football fans in the Zombo district don’t understand the fair play games rule.
Recently, a fierce clash between highly charged and disgruntled fans of Paidha Black Angels Sc and Paidha United FC saw security firing live bullets and teargas to disperse them in Paidha after a football game at Bar Okoro stadium in Paidha town council, Zombo district ended prematurely as a result of poor match officiation claims.
Many players, fans, and children from the two Paidha-based regional league sides were hospitalized as a result of the stampede and fights, and many officials were later slapped with fines for failing to control the situation.
Since then, many fans have been trading accusations of poor match officiation and they hardly see eye to eye despite sharing the same town it reached a point where fans from either side reportedly declined to buy from shops and kiosks of the businessmen who supports their rivals.
In an emergency meeting convened at Cream land motel In paidha town council over the weekend, Nickson Yoacel, The chairperson Zombo Referee Association and also the competition manager said all is under control.
The Zombo district football association chairperson Jimmy Dokcen said they have recorded statements from all clubs with complaints pending a final ruling.
Dokcen acknowledged the continuous practice of poor officiation in most games which he said the body is working around the clock to fix.
He adds that a plan is in place to extensively increase sensitization of the community about the rules of the games most especially fair play.
” We have recorded their complains and we shall ensure we come out with the final ruling which will not be today but so soon” Dokcen said.
Talking about football hooliganism, the DPC of Zombo ASP Nelson Nahabwe has cautioned fans against their criminal acts.
He advised that Incase of complaints, the clubs should use appropriate means to appeal instead of degenerating into lawlessness.
