West Coast Region Third Division clubs fined D53,500 as disciplinary crackdown targets crowd trouble, gate fee violations.

Source: Pa Fatty

Six clubs competing in the West Coast Region Third Division have been sanctioned a combined D53,500 in fines alongside a string of match bans, as the Organizing Committee moves decisively against crowd misconduct, unsporting behaviour, and administrative breaches that have marred the ongoing league season.
Farato Bojang Kunda United bore the brunt of the committee’s disciplinary action, receiving a D20,000 fine and an indefinite suspension from hosting home matches after match officials were physically assaulted during their fixture against Kunkujang Friends FC. Tensions had reportedly escalated during the game before spilling over into an attack on the officiating team. Football authorities were unequivocal in their response, barring the club from their home ground until further notice and making clear that the protection of match officials is non-negotiable.

Jam City United were not far behind, handed a D11,500 penalty covering two separate offences. The committee confirmed in a letter to the club that they had failed to collect gate tickets across three consecutive home matches, attracting a D4,500 fine. A further D7,000 was added after their supporters brought a game against Gambinos Star Africa to a standstill for seven minutes by holding the goalpost and shaking the goal net, conduct the committee said fell well outside the bounds of acceptable behaviour.

Bairo FC were sanctioned D7,000 following a turbulent match against Busumbala Dutch Lions FC that saw crowd trouble spill onto the pitch. Their head coach was shown a red card during the game but allegedly refused to leave and continued to interfere with proceedings, earning himself a three-match suspension. A supporter, Ansu Jarju, was handed an equal ban from attending matches. The committee also noted that Bairo FC’s supporters had stoned the goalkeeper of Busumbala Dutch Lions FC, an incident that caused a four-minute halt in play.

Marakissa FC were handed a D7,000 fine after their supporters were found to have repeatedly kicked match balls away whenever play stopped, deliberately disrupting restarts and slowing the flow of the game. The committee described the behaviour as a calculated attempt to undermine fair competition and warned the club in the strongest terms.

Foni Heroes FC received a D5,000 fine for identical conduct during their match against Siffoe United. Supporters were found to have persistently kicked away balls that went out of play, and the committee stated plainly that such actions are incompatible with the principles of sportsmanship the league seeks to uphold.

Sanyang United closed out the list of sanctioned clubs with a D3,000 fine for failing to collect gate fees at their last two home matches, as the committee pressed on with its enforcement of matchday revenue and administrative obligations.

With fines now totalling D53,500 and bans handed out to both officials and supporters, the Organizing Committee has put clubs on notice that discipline on and off the pitch will be firmly enforced for the remainder of the season. All clubs have been urged to take direct responsibility for the conduct of their players, coaching staff, and supporters, and to ensure full compliance with competition regulations going forward.