17/07/2024
WE NEED SANITY IN THE LEAGUE COME NEXT SEASON, FAZ HAS TO ACT
The league will kick off in a few weeks time and before it starts there are certain serious issues which have been neglected for long in our league but beg for serious attention. This is the right time to put these vices in order by the football association.
What happened in week 28 fixture between FC MUZA and Nkwazi was quite unfortunate. Even before the game kicked off, there was mayhem. FAZ disciplinary committee came in and dealt with the problems which occurred on the pitch and the perpetrators were fined and points were awarded, I recommend the actions of FAZ DC.
The other occurrences outside the stadium was neglected. Nkwazi claimed that they were denied entry into the stadium and there was a video of Nkwazi players going over the fence to gain entry into the stadium.
Three weeks later in the game between Buffaloes and Nkana, a video of Nkana players accessing the pitch by going over the gate at Imboela stadium was making rounds on social media. Buffaloes claimed that Nkana players were avoiding inspection from the dressing room.
During this game, I was in the stands, Nkana used the bus to change for their warmup, after warming up they changed their attire in the bus. At half time, team talk was held in the bus. For those who watch football from the stadium will agree with me that this isn't strange, we have seen several teams using the bus as the dressing room.
These are just a few of the many examples. I understand that these are mind games but at the end of it all, these mind games should not compromise the integrity of the game nor the quality of football nor show disrespect to opponents.
It's now time things should be put in order and tamed. In this age, we can't have players jumping or going over the gate to enter the stadium, it is a hazard for these players. Teams refusing to use the dress rooms for whatever reasons. Other players go as far as urinating in dress rooms, it's quite disappointing and unsanitary.
The levels of unsportsmanlike behavior is just way too much, FAZ needs to come in and bring to an end these vices. There should be sanity and order in the league, here are some of the solutions to these problems.
1. TIME FOR OPENING OF GATES
On this one the home team is the major culprit. This is straight forward; on match day, if the game is starting at 13 hours, gates should be opened at 11 hours and if the game is at 15 hours, at 13 hours gates should be opened.
FAZ needs to be strict on this, a heavy punishment or heft fine should be attached in case the home team fails to open gates on time. Players put their health at risk when they jump the gate, they can easily injure themselves so to safeguard their health, any player/team who goes over the gate or fence, that team should face punishment/fine.
2. DRESSING ROOM
To encourage players/teams to use dressing rooms [easterners would say chilango (punishment) chapadela] should be set aside for all teams that do not want to use the dressing rooms.
We shouldn't be talking about urinating in dressing rooms, if found guilty, the punishment should be severe. I think punishment in form of suspension, points deductions and fines are the only way we can promote sanity in the league.
