Kiyovu Sports Club management has vowed to take serious sanctions against the supporters who abused international referee Salima Mukansanga during and after the club’s league match against Gasogi United on Friday, January 20 at Bugesera Stadium. Mukansanga was targeted by a section of angry Kiyovu supporters who insulted her at full time accusing her of unfair refereeing after their side was held to a goalless draw with Gasogi United. The Mumena-based club supporters on many occasions expressed their frustration on Mukansanga’s refereeing decisions against their team, prompting them to chant ‘you’re old, you’re old, you’re old’ towards the 34-year-old referee. As she walked down the tunnel to the dressing room after the full time whistle, an angry fan ran towards her in an attempt to attack her but security guards interfered before a group of fans followed her chanting Prostitute! Prostitute! Prostitute!. ALSO READ: Rwanda FA probes Kiyovu supporters’ insults against Mukansanga After the incident, the club management held a meeting with its Fan Clubs Management Committee in order to identify supporters who were involved in the incident and take disciplinary actions against them. “Very soon, we will announce the names of punished supporters and the sanctions taken against them,” the club statement released on Wednesday reads in part. “The Kiyovu sports family will not tolerate anyone who disrespects anyone, especially in sports,” the statement further states. The move comes after football governing body (Ferwafa) on Tuesday, January 24, issued a statement condemning the unsporting behaviors displayed by Kiyovu supporters towards Mukansanga before adding that the case is being handled the federation’s disciplinary committee for further action. “The matter has been submitted before Ferwafa Disciplinary Committee for further action in line with Ferwafa Disciplinary Code following match reports received from designated match officials. Appropriate decisions shall be communicated in due course,” Ferwafa’s statement reads in part. Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo, and Olivier Nduhungirehe, the Ambassador of Rwanda to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, are among people who called for action on unacceptable behaviours shown by Kiyovu supporters. Glad to see @FERWAFA take action on this unacceptable behaviour. We are with you @RhadiaSalma. https://t.co/KBsVrh8BJ3 — Yolande Makolo (@YolandeMakolo) January 25, 2023 “Glad to see Ferwafa take action on this unacceptable behaviour. We are with you Salima Mukansanga,” Makolo commented while Nduhungirehe claimed that, “Mysogynic attacks and chants against Mukansanga are unacceptable” “She is one of Rwanda's football icons and an inspiration for many young girls in our country. FERWAFA should take exemplary sanctions to prevent this cancer from spreading in our football,” he added. It is not the first time that fans have attacked referees during Rwanda Premier League matches. A similar incident last happened during Enticelles’ 1-1 draw against AS Kigali in Rubavu back in December 2021. Etincelles had a 1-0 lead over the visitors before AS Kigali scored a last-minute equalizer after the referee added 10 minutes of stoppage time. After the game, angry Etincelles fans rushed to the pitch to beat the match officials only for the police to escort them to the dressing room.
