Match Referee Runs for His Life As Angry Fans Storm Football Pitch 'To Deal With Him'

• Football fans stormed the pitch during an Eswatini Premier League game to mob the referee
• Official, Mbongeni Shongwe had to run for his life as irate fans faulted him over a decision
• He was spotted racing towards police officers, who then drove him away in a patrol vehicle

A match referee in Eswatini was captured the moment he ran for his life, after angry fans stormed the pitch in a bid to mob him.

Mbongeni Shongwe nearly became a victim of 'mob justice' after Mbabane Highlanders fans invaded the pitch 'to deal with him' for poor officiating at Mavuso Sports Centre in Manzini on Sunday.

Most leagues worldwide have been halted due to the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, as players need to represent their respective national teams.

However, the Eswatini Premier League is one of the few leagues that have decided to continue with business as usual until Christmas.

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Ugly scenes erupted over the weekend during a clash between the Sea Birds and Highlanders, as the latter’s fans ran onto the pitch and had Shongwe running for his life.

FarPost reports via IOL that Highlanders fans were furious that the official awarded a winning goal to the Birds:

“The fans were unhappy after a Manzini Seabirds player seemed to have used his hand to score the winner. Seabirds won the tie 2-1.”

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Sports Brief also reported that Mozez Praiz blasted a referee and also labelled the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) as a failure, after over 30 minutes of additional time was added in an NPFL encounter on June 26.

The game between Kastina United and Remo Stars ran into a lengthy extra time period, after Stars had grabbed an equaliser in the 92nd minute to tie the encounter at 2-2.

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Nigerians were stunned after play was left to continue well beyond the regular stipulated time - more than a half-hour beyond in fact.

United would eventually get their winning goal in the 34th minute of added time, to end the game 3-2 in favour of the home side.