TP Mazembe have been awarded the botched DR Congo’s League (Linafoot) clash against St Eloi Lupopo played on Sunday 11 February at the Kibassa Stadium in Lubumbashi.

Mazembe were leading 1-0 until 80th minute when Lupopo’s equalizer was flagged offside. The match had to be stopped after players and fans protested at what they thought was biased refereeing.

In the ruling, the league’s  Disciplinary and Competitions committee ordered the club to pay $20,000 in fines and damages caused during the tie having  found them guilty of failing to control their players and fans.

The disciplinary body also said, three of club officials led by coach Bruno Bla ,club deputy president Damien Kilumbu and team doctor Guylain Tengu, accused of orchestrating the debacle, were slapped with a $200 fine each.

The committee further ordered a suspension of Lupopo’s players, Kalenga Kazadi, Walangi Bolikango, Kiala Lasa and Tshibwabwa Yamba for next two matches while Mutatu Mbendi was slapped with one match ban having all been found guilty of hurling insults at match officials.

The body stated also that all clubs participating in tournaments organized by the Linafoot must understand that the league management body does not condone any acts of hooliganism.

In that respect, St Eloi Lupopo were warned that if they don’t observe the league’s zero tolerance policy on abandoned matches and assaults, they will be relegated to the lower league.