Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have been charged by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) for damaging Bingu National Stadium, bringing the game into disrepute and misconduct in last week’s Airtel Top 8 opener against Silver Strikers.
Some section of supporters destroyed chairs, thrown objects and invaded the pitch in reaction to Stain Davie’s last minute goal which saw Silver Strikers taking a 2-1 lead over the Nomads in the first leg of the quarter final tie.
Wanderers players and fans protested centre referee’s decision , Godfrey Nkhakananga who had blown the whistle in the build up of the goal for a handball on Isaac Kaliati but match didn’t stop until Davie restored Silver Strikers lead.
A day after the match, FAM announced that the result of the match will be determined after receiving reports from all stakeholders.
But according to the statement released by FAM today, the disciplinary committee has rulled that the Nomads lost the game 2-0 following their abandonment of the match contrary to article 10.3 of the 2023 Airtel Top 8 rules and regulations.
FAM has also imposed upon Wanderers financial sanctions as they ordered to pay K24, 583, 400 for being found guilty of three counts.
The statement reads: “Impose upon Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC a financial sanction of Five Hundred Thousand Kwacha (K500,000.00) for being found guilty of failure take the necessary precautions to prevent their supporters from displaying unsporting behaviours by throwing objects into the field of play and damaging stadium seats. The Committee has also ordered Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Football Club to pay for the costs associated with the repair and restoration of any damaged facilities at Bingu National Stadium which stands at K22,083,400.00 (Twenty-Two million and Eighty- Three Thousand Six Hundred Kwacha) as per the preliminary assessment by BNS Authorities”
“Impose upon Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC a financial sanction of Two Million Kwacha (K2,000,000) for being found guilty of bringing the game of football, FAM, and the name of the sponsor into disrepute”
Meanwhile, FAM refered the matter on the decision by referee Godfrey Nkhakananga to the FAM referees’ committee for review and necessary measures on the view that referee, may have made an error in the interpretation of the laws of the game by giving an advantage to Silver Strikers after he had blown the whistle for an infringement.
The Nomads are yet to comment on the matter.
