Government debunks fake public holiday notice for Arsenal fans after a 22-year wait

Africa, Sports

GABORONE, Botswana (NPA) — The Government of Botswana has dismissed as fake a viral statement falsely claiming that the Office of the President had declared a public holiday to celebrate Arsenal Football Club’s Premier League triumph after a 22-year wait. The fabricated document, dated 17th May 2026, circulated widely on social media under the headline “Public Holiday for Arsenal Fans: Celebrating Arsenal’s Premier League Triumph.”

In a firm rebuttal, the government clarified: “NO, THERE IS NO HOLIDAY FOR ARSENAL FANS.” Officials described the circulating letter as a deliberate act of misinformation and urged the public to disregard it.

The fake release had attributed congratulatory remarks to President Duma Gideon Boko, allegedly praising Arsenal’s victory and encouraging citizens to take the day off to celebrate. It even called on public and private institutions to grant Arsenal supporters leave and host community events in honour of the club’s success.

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The counterfeit statement read in part: “His Excellency President Dumada Boko, President of the Republic of Botswana, has conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to Arsenal Football Club and their supporters worldwide following the club’s outstanding achievement in winning the Premier League title for the 2025/26 season.” It went on to claim that the President had declared Wednesday, 17th May 2026, a national holiday for fans to “celebrate responsibly and with pride.”

Across the forged document, a large red overlay marked “FAKE!”, confirming its inauthenticity.

The Office of the President emphasised that no such directive was issued and that official government communications are only released through verified channels.

Authorities have warned citizens against sharing unverified information online, noting that such fabrications can mislead the public and damage the credibility of official institutions. The government reiterated its commitment to transparency and urged media outlets and social media users to verify all statements before publication.