Any coach found guilty of using witchcraft, will be banned for four matches on top of paying a fine of Rwf200,000. This is one of the tough measures passed by Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) during an extra-ordinary meeting on addressing the problem of witchcraft in local football.

Meanwhile a player found guilty of using witchcraft will receive a three-match suspension on top of a fine of Rwf100,000 and for the team found guilty of engaging in witchcraft, it will lose three points and pay a fine of Rwf500,000.

The new measures were announced early this week during the meeting attended by FERWAFA executive committee and all first division club presidents.

The development came in the wake of last Friday’s incident during the league match between Mukura Victory Sports and Rayon Sport at Huye stadium that saw players on both sides clash over alleged use of witchcraft by the former.

According to FERWAFA vice president Vedaste Kayiranga, all present unanimously agreed that the perception of believing in witchcraft is a big threat not only to football development but also to the image of the country.

Kayiranga noted that, "Since there is no scientific way to prove the use of witchcraft, these measures will base upon reports from match officials and anything that is deemed to incite witchcraft will be put under consideration.”

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