Fans who beat up referee remanded as FUFA adopts strict anti-hooliganism measures

Kampala, (UG): The two fans who were allegedly involved in an incident that involved the beating of assistant referee Fahad Sekayuba on Tuesday appeared in court for the hearing.

Noah Bukenya and Zimula Sulaiman were arrested last month for allegedly assaulting referee Fahad Sekayuba after the UPDF FC and Express FC match which ended 1-1 in Bombo at the Military Barracks grounds.

The duo on Tuesday appeared before the Magistrate’s court in Matugga and were read the charges of assault before subsequently being remanded to Buwambo Prison until November 28, 2023, when they will reappear in court for further mention and hearing.

The development follows a growing trend of hooliganism noted by FUFA, which has prompted the football governing body to come up with amendments aimed at addressing the incidents beyond match venues and game times. 

Speaking to the press soon after the court session, Ahmed Hussein, the Head of Communications at FUFA Head rallied the call against hooliganism saying stakeholders in the football sector need to join hands to fight the growing vice.

“We need to fight these acts of hooliganism from football gravely. This vice chases away fans from stadiums and potential sponsors and can cause lasting effects to people and their lives,” Hussein stated.

He added; “Football is a game of emotions, but there is no single reason why you would injure or hurt another.”

“FUFA, along with all stakeholders, will continue to sensitize fans about the dangers of hooliganism and why it needs to be stopped.”

FUFA Implements Stricter Anti-Hooliganism Measures

Pursuant to section 43 of the FUFA Competitions Rules 2023 and a circular issued by FUFA Deputy CEO Decolas Kiiza on November 10, 2023, the FUFA Executive Committee has thus introduced significant amendments:

• Section 39 of the FUFA Competitions Rules is amended to encompass acts of hooliganism and violence outside match venues or game times logically linked to the FUFA competition, with sanctions detailed in the Ethics and Disciplinary Code.
• Section 14 of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code now addresses hooliganism and violence causing match abandonment, specifying sanctions like point and goal deductions.
• The defaulting club faces consequences for hooliganism outside match venues or game times, including point and goal reductions, fines, or exclusion from competitions.
• The FJC may impose further disciplinary measures on parties found guilty of hooliganism.
• Identification of individual perpetrators may lead to a declaration of persona non grata, with the home club responsible for enforcement, communication, and public display of the offenders’ images.

FUFA says failure to comply with these measures will result in further disciplinary actions by the FUFA Judicial Commission (FJC).