Simba ordered to pay for damage after CAF match chaos
What you need to know:
- The final amount to be paid by Simba SC will be determined after the assessment is completed.
Dar es Salaam. The government has stated that one of the football giants, Simba SC, will be responsible for covering all damages caused by fans during their CAF Confederation Cup match against CS Sfaxien of Tunisia on Sunday, December 15, 2024.
The match, held at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, was marred by chaos following Simba’s winning goal, scored by Kibu Dennis, which secured a 2-1 victory for the Msimbazi side.
After the decisive goal, some CS Sfaxien players and officials confronted the match referees, led by Andofetra Rakotojaona from Madagascar.
As the situation escalated on the pitch, violence also broke out in the stands, with fans of both teams attacking each other by throwing chairs.
Fortunately, security personnel acted swiftly to control the chaos as they managed to calm the fans and players, eventually restoring order by surrounding the players in the middle of the pitch.
Speaking with The Citizen today, December 18, 2024, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, confirmed that Simba SC would be held accountable for all damages caused.
Msigwa explained that this responsibility arises from the contractual agreement between Simba SC and the government for the use of the stadium.
"Simba must pay for all damages because they have a contract with us to use the stadium," said Msigwa, who also serves as the Government Spokesperson.
"We will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cost of the damages, which will include not only chairs but all affected stadium facilities."
Msigwa further clarified that the final amount to be paid by Simba SC will be determined after the assessment is completed.
"We will also write to the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) to inform them of the situation. TFF, in turn, will communicate with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as per the established procedures,” he said.
Additionally, Msigwa called on football fans to maintain discipline and use the stadium responsibly to avoid unnecessary chaos that could lead to the destruction of infrastructure.
“Fans need to respect the stadium and each other. Such incidents not only damage property but also tarnish the image of our country and the sport itself,” he said.
The government’s firm stance on the issue underscores its commitment to maintaining order and safeguarding public infrastructure, as well as ensuring accountability from all stakeholders in Tanzanian football.
