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Through their umbrella body, the Uganda Football Referees Association (UFRA), the officials have vowed not to officiate matches involving Express, until the culprits are brought to book.
Following the incident where a group of alleged Express FC fans reportedly staged a roadblock in Matugga, attacked and beat FUFA national assistant referee Fahad Sekayiba, referees have staged an industrial action against the club.
Through their umbrella body, the Uganda Football Referees Association (UFRA), the officials have vowed not to officiate matches involving Express, until the culprits are brought to book.
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"The purpose of this letter is to inform you that UFRA has decided to withdraw all match officials from officiating football matches involving Express FC until the culprits are brought to book," a letter signed by UFRA CEO Godffrey Kimbugwe noted.
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For starters, after the Uganda Premier League one-all draw between Express and UPDF on Friday at the Bombo Military Barracks, the fans hijacked the officials' car and left Sekayiba critically injured.
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After full-time, feeling disgruntled with several of Sekayiba's decisions, the fans attacked and beat him, inflicting multiple injuries.
He was immediately rushed to a nearby health center, bleeding profusely and unconscious, before later getting transferred to Mulago Referral Hospital.
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"Express supporters way-laid the car in which referees ere traveling and removed the assistant referee and beat him to near death, he is now admired in Mulago Hospital in critical condition," the letter confirmed the incidents.
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It should thus be noted that while unlikely, KCCA, who are one of the most successful clubs in the country, will be relegated should they fail to timely turn the events around.
Further, the hooligans went on to not only vandalize the vehicle but also beat the match assessor as well.
The match officials feel the monstrous acts directed at them are being too consistent, yet the punishments don't quite match.
UFRA thus cited another incident where match assessor Refusal Nsubuga was assaulted by the Gaddafi FC boss LT. Edwin Ocheing after the match between the latter and Kitara FC over a week back.
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"... but also during the Gaddafi FC game where the match assessor was assaulted, which act is great indiscipline and disrespectful towards members of the refereeing fraternity."
And while FUFA imposed a 2,000,000 shillings fine to Ocheing, UFRA perceived it as unfair given the gravity of these assaults on referees.
Meanwhile, FUFA has yet to make a statement on both the Friday incidents and UFRA's concerns or the decision take as per the letter.
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Vipers, who have ascended to fourth on the table with 11 points, will hope to make it two wins on the bounce in their next match against Wakiso Giants FC at the St Mary's Stadium, Kitende next Tuesday.
Action in the Uganda Premier League (UPL) is set to resume next week, with Express hosting their archrivals SC Villa at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.
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