Vipers SC shareholder Tadeus Kitandwe has been fined Uganda Shillings 500,000 ($140) after accepting Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) charge for comments made about referee Shamilah Nabadda.
Kitandwe, whose side are currently on top of Uganda Premier League table, made comments on his Facebook page blaming the referee for “wrongful” sending off striker Fahad Bayo in a league match against Wakiso Giants on March 6.
“Tadeus Kitandwe fined UGX 500,000 over his remarks against FIFA Referee Shamirah Nabadda who handled the Uganda Premier League match at Wakishah grounds between Wakiso Giants and Vipers SC,” FUFA said in a statement.
“He is supposed to pay the fine within 14 days from the date of this decision. Failure to pay the fine in the stipulated time shall attract a 6-month ban from all FUFA related activities.”
Referee Shamirah Nabadda made the decision to send Bayo for an early shower in the 35th minute in a match that resulted in a goalless draw.
But the matter sparked a debate on social media with many including Kitandwe, who stated that the offence warranted caution and not a red card.
That forced FUFA to sermon Kitandwe for referring the female official as a ‘bum less chic’ in a post which has since been pulled down.
“Disciplinary proceedings were opened against Tadeus Kitandwe following his media comments via Facebook regarding a match official Shamirah Nabadda,” added FUFA.
“The words used by Tadeus Kitandwe via Facebook against a match official constitute offensive and insulting language directed at a match official.”
The Ugandan FA further pointed out the clauses within their Code of Ethics they used to fine the official, whom they say showed remorse and tendered his apology.
