Clubs in Uganda are set to pay for fan hooliganism and violence, even it happens outside the venue. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations, FUFA, has amended its competition rules to make clubs responsible for their fans misdemeanors outside football stadiums.
The amended FUFA rules state, “If acts of hooliganism and violence as defined in the FUFA Rules occur outside the precincts of the match venue or outside Game Time but logically linked to a match or a FUFA Competition, the defaulting parties shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code.”
Under the amendments, a club could forfeit any points and goals gained during the affected game. There are also fines, points deductions, and exclusion from competitions for the misbehaving club and fans. Diligent clubs who can identify hooligans may be spared the rod.
“In the event that the individual perpetrator(s) are identified by the defaulting club, and it is established that their acts were without influence of the club, the FJC may at its discretion exonerate the club from the sanctions mentioned herein above,” read the FUFA amendments.
Fans face bans from FUFA competitions and, “shall bear liabilities in accordance with the National Sports Act of 2023,” according to the new regulations.
These new laws come into effect after assistant referee Fahad Sekayuba was brutally attacked by a group of alleged Express FC fans after a league game. Express FC was not sanctioned because the horrible incident happened outside Bombo Military Barracks which was the game venue.
With the new set of rules, other clubs will not be as lucky as Express FC.