Football Association of Malawi’s (FAM) Committee of Appeal has nullified all the decisions that were made by the association’s Subcommittee against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who were found guilty of causing the abandonment of the Airtel Top 8 Cup opener against Silver Strikers.
Initially, the committee slapped the Nomads with a hefty fine amounting to MK24.5 Million for causing game abandonment and inciting violence after referee, Godfrey Nkhakananga wrecked the game with just seconds before the final whistle.
However, the Nomads hired Lawyer Kalekeni Kaphale to file a six-page document appealing against the ruling in which they faulted the committee in different areas which included delivering the ruling without hearing from both affected parties.
The committee of Appeal after hearing both parties on Saturday, on Tuesday, released a statement which says that the first ruling should be put aside and start over the case with both parties present.
“In this regard, Article 94 of the Disciplinary Code for FAM is very clear. The parties shall be heard before any decision is passed. In the view of the Committee, it is clearly the case that no disciplinary measure or indeed any other measure which adversely impacts another can be meted out against any person before that person is heard.
“The Committee forms the distinct view that the infraction of Article 94 of the Disciplinary Code for FAM was even more severe in this case where the right to a hearing was completely abrogated. The decisions of such a flawed process cannot stand. The Committee therefore sets aside all of the decisions that were made by the Competitions Committee as communicated in its Determination dated 28th September 2023.”
Meanwhile, FAM has charged Mighty Mukuru Wanderers with three offenses after being ordered to restart the case.
“The Football Association of Malawi (FAM),would like to notify you of the commencement of disciplinary proceedings against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, in respect of the incidents that occurred during a 2023 Airtel Top 8 quarterfinal first leg match between Silver Strikers FC and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers played on Saturday 23rdSeptember 2023 at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe,” reads the letter in part.
In a letter to Wanderers dated 17th October, 2023, FAM through the Chief Executive Officer, Alfred Gunda, the Lali Luban side faces offenses of causing abandonment of the match, Failure to take all the necessary precautions to prevent Supporters from displaying unsporting behaviors by inciting violence and damaging Bingu National Stadium Property and bringing the name of the sponsor, FAM and the game of football into disrepute.
Mighty Wanderers have been invited to provide the Secretariat of FAM with its position in relation to the charge sheet attached within 48 hours of receipt of the notification.
