The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sanctioned the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) for failing to comply with security standards and for allowing fans to invade the pitch during the Chipolopolo’s Group G Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone on September 10, 2024.
FAZ general secretary Reuben Kamanga said in a statement on Wednesday that CAF fined Zambia $10,000 for pitch invasion and failure to maintain adequate security during the game.
“CAF Disciplinary Board decides: To impose on the Football Association of Zambia a fine of USD 20,000 for pitch invasion and failure to maintain adequate security measures during the match,” Kamanga.
“USD 10,000 of the aforementioned fine is suspended provided that the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is not found guilty of a similar incident for a period of twelve (12) months. If the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) commits a similar infraction during this period, the USD 10,000 suspended fine will be automatically imposed, notwithstanding other sanctions that the CAF Disciplinary Board may impose.”
FAZ has been instructed to pay the fine within 60 days. Kamanga has since advised fans to behave better in 2025 to avoid being sanctioned by CAF and FIFA.
“We have repeatedly warned fans to desist from throwing missiles on the pitch or invade the pitch during matches either in protest or celebration. The sanctions can be as high as being banned from playing matches at home. We appeal to fans to behave better in 2025 and make the stadium safer for families to attend matches,” he said.
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