The TNM Super League team, Mafco FC, have rejected three charges that were levelled against them by the Super League of Malawi following their unsportsmanship on-field conduct during their game against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.
The call for the ban of Mafco FC from the elite league resurfaced after the club was once again involved in malicious conduct in the elite league when their three players deliberately stepped on Bullets’ midfielder Wongani Lungu and seriously injured him.
Sulom charged Mafco FC with four charges, two charges of assaults, acts of violence or attempted violence and bringing the game of football into disrepute. Sulom said the aft of Mafco’s players damaged the image of the league.
However, in their response to Sulom, Mafco FC rejected three charges, citing a lack of evidence and the wrong placement of articles. According to the letter responding to Sulom signed by the Club’s General Secretary, Captain Mike Uzale, MAFCO Football Club has accepted just one charge, saying “We are in total agreement that the offence under Article 26.2.30.3 was committed by Vitumbiko Phiri and Blessings Chanding’ana ”
However, the Salima-based Soldiers said there is no evidence in relation to Duncan Mwale under the Article in reference saying any person alleging the contrary in relation to Mwale is put to strict proof thereof.
Uzale said there was a wrong placing of Articles saying Article 26.2.38 refers to a player, supporter or official who physically or verbally assaults a referee or his assistant or a fellow supporter. “Applying Article 26.2.38 in this case would be a great exaggeration. This provision is, therefore, misplaced and should fall off for want of particularity and should not apply to Duncan Mwale for the reasons above and lack of evidence.
“This provision does not cover a fellow player. Further, it relates to a player or supporter who causes a situation dangerous to public safety. Public safety is defined by Law Central as the prevention of, or protection of the general population from, all kinds of significant danger, injury, damage or harm. What was demonstrated by Vitumbiko and Blessings Chanding’ana” he said.
On the issue of Christopher Mikuwa, Uzale said the player was punished right there by the “competent” referee who yellow-carded him and charged him under Article 26.2.30.3, which will amount to double jeopardy.
“Additionally, there is no evidence that he contravened Article 26.2.38 simply because he never got into an altercation with the referee, his assistant, or supporter. He cannot also be deemed to have caused a situation dangerous to public safety for the same reason that he never dealt with the general public, but rather a fellow player on the field of play,” he adds.
Mafco FC have rejected the charge of acts of violence or attempted violence saying there is no evidence and the charge is bad for duplicity. Mafco have also rejected the charge of bringing the game of football into disrepute saying that there is no evidence.
“It is in evidence that MAFCO officials were observed to be totally against the conduct of the two players as they could be heard shouting at them to stop what they did from the bench. It also has to be noted that the incident happened when the game was still underway such that for officials to enter the field of play for intervention, they required permission from the referee,” adds the letter.
Mafco FC wants Sulom to punish Lungu too
MAFCO FC has asked the Super League of Malawi to act on the incident that showed that Wongani Lungu also kicked Duncan Mwale following the incident that took place when they played FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.
In a letter, Captain Mike Uzale, says the Association should also look into the clip which showed Lungu kicked Mwale during the incident.
“We also released a media statement to the effect of condemning the unsportsmanlike behaviour perpetrated by the two players apart from the fact that Mr Wonganu is also seen in some clips kicking Vitumbiko Phiri between the legs. We would also like to request your office to look into the matter where Mr Wongani Lungu is seen kicking Vitumbiko Phiri between the legs,” the letter adds.
Bullets held a press briefing on Tuesday where the Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Albert Chigoga called for Sulom to consider seriously punishing Mafco for injuring their player deliberately and confirmed that Lungu is expected to miss the forthcoming Castel Challenge Cup game due to injury.
Meanwhile, Mafco have asked SULOM to consider what their captain did to try and calm down the situation and allow the game to continue.
