Sports Commentator Expresses Concern Over Fine Imposed on Mighty Mukuru Wanderers by FAM
The FAM Competitions Committee said its determinations aim to address the events surrounding the match and ensure that the rules and regulations of the competition are upheld.
Lilongwe, Malawi — Sports commentator Kim Kamau has voiced his dissatisfaction with the recent decision by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to fine Mighty Mukuru Wanderers K22 million and an additional fine of K500,000, write Alinafe Sambo and Winston Mwale.
The fines were imposed on the club for their role in the abandonment of a match in the Airtel Top 8 Cup, where they protested against Silver Strikers' second goal.
In an interview with African Brief, Kim Kamau expressed his concern, stating that the fine is excessive compared to the damage caused by the club's supporters.
Kamau also took the opportunity to condemn acts of violence by supporters and urged them to refrain from such behaviour.
"The fine that Mighty Mukuru Wanderers has been given is too high, and they have every right to appeal this decision by FAM," Kamau remarked.
Kamau further criticized the behaviour of the Wanderers' supporters during the match, which took place at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
He also questioned the decision of referee Godfrey Nkhakananga, who stopped the match and awarded a goal to Silver Strikers.
The disciplinary committee, acting in accordance with Article 10.3 of the 2023 Airtel Top 8 Rules and Regulations, awarded the match to Silver Strikers with a 2-0 victory, finding Mighty Mukuru Wanderers guilty of causing the match's abandonment due to their refusal to continue playing in protest of the referee's decision.
In its statement, the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Competitions Committee has released its determinations regarding the 2023 Airtel Top 8 match between Silver Strikers FC and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC, which was abandoned on September 23, 2023, at the Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe.
In a virtual meeting held on September 26, 2023, the committee is said to have reviewed match footage, reports from match officials, and protest letters from Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, leading to the following findings and determinations:
Match Awarded to Silver Strikers FC: The committee awarded the match to Silver Strikers FC with a 2-0 victory. Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC was found guilty of causing the match's abandonment after their players refused to continue playing in protest of the referee's decision, contrary to article 10.3 of the 2023 Airtel Top 8 Rules and Regulations.
Financial Sanctions Imposed: Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC is fined Five Hundred Thousand Kwacha (K500,000.00) for failing to prevent their supporters from displaying unsporting behaviours, including throwing objects onto the field of play and damaging stadium seats. Additionally, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Football Club is required to cover the costs associated with the repair and restoration of damaged facilities at Bingu National Stadium, amounting to K22,083,400.00 (Twenty-Two million and Eighty-Three Thousand Six Hundred Kwacha) as per the preliminary assessment by BNS Authorities.
Financial Penalty for Bringing Disrepute: Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC is further fined Two Million Kwacha (K2,000,000) for bringing the game of football, FAM, and the name of the sponsor into disrepute.
Referee's Decision Referred for Review: The matter concerning the decision made by Referee Godfrey Nkhakananga is referred to the FAM Referees’ Committee for review and necessary measures. The Competitions Committee believes that the referee may have misinterpreted the Laws of the Game by giving an advantage to Silver Strikers after blowing the whistle for an infringement.
Protest Deemed Inadmissible: Mighty Mukuru Wanderers' protest is found inadmissible, as per Article 13.5 of the Airtel Top 8 Rules and Regulations. This article specifies that decisions made by the Match Referee during any match related to the interpretation of the Laws of the Game are not subject to protest.
The FAM Competitions Committee said its determinations aim to address the events surrounding the match and ensure that the rules and regulations of the competition are upheld