Gunman gets lifetime ban over Super Cup shooting

The South Sudan Football Federation has imposed a lifetime ban on an individual accused of causing chaos and firing a handgun during post-match unrest at the Super Cup final in Juba.

SSFF Secretary General Bak Athian Bak said the individual, who has not been identified by name, is barred from entering any football stadium or facility affiliated with the Football Association across the country.

“The individual responsible for the chaos and gunfire at Buluk football field during the Super Cup match has been banned from entering any football facility affiliated with the Football Association for life,” Bak said.

The incident happened on Saturday at Buluk Playground, where a video shared on social media showed a man wielding a handgun during disturbances that followed the final whistle.

Crowd trouble reportedly broke out after provocations prompted some fans to storm the pitch. Gunshots were then fired into the air as the situation escalated.

Security personnel later restored order, allowing officials to proceed with the trophy presentation, as Al Ghazala Wau celebrated a 1-0 victory over El Merriekh Bentiu.

Speaking to the media at the SSFF headquarters in Juba on Monday, Bak said the federation had instructed the head of stadium security to conduct an administrative investigation into the incident.

“We have instructed the head of stadium security to conduct an administrative investigation into the incident to determine if it resulted from any shortcomings in stadium security and to submit a report identifying these deficiencies.

“We have consulted with security units, most of which were unable to locate him, but we have received information that he has been arrested. We have tasked the Football Association’s legal team with contacting his military unit and the military judiciary,” he said.

Bak said the investigation will assess security gaps and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents at football matches.

He added that the federation had consulted security agencies to locate the suspect. While some security units initially said they had been unable to find him, the federation later received information that he had been arrested.

Bak said the federation’s legal team had also been instructed to contact the suspect’s military unit and the military judiciary over possible legal action.

The SSFF says it plans to initiate criminal proceedings against the individual for allegedly endangering the safety of players, officials and spectators.

The federation says the measures are aimed at strengthening security at football venues and preventing violence and the use of firearms at football matches.