BB, Eagles fined

Blue Eagles and Big Bullets must pay K250 000 (US$675) and K50 000 (US$135) fines respectively after being found guilty of assault and Kamuzu Stadium pitch invasion during their last Friday’s TNM Super League meeting.

Failure to pay the fines before their next league matches will lead to forfeiture of points, the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) acting general secretary Tiya Somba-Banda warned through a statement issued on Wednesday.

Sulom disciplinary committee meeting held on Tuesday resolved to punish Bullets after their fans went berserk on the restricted pitch.

The Eagles got fined K50 000 for failing to control their reserve goalkeepers Chimwemwe Chitedze and Elia Msukwa from beating up referee Andy Kuseli and his assistant Harry Bitilinyu.

Additionally, the committee which Ted Roka chaired, slapped Msukwa and Chitedze with six-month bans each and K100 000 (US$270) fine each for the assaults which, Sulom says, contravenes Fifa Disciplinary Code section 2 article 49.

“The Disciplinary Committee further expresses its concern to the National Referees Committee to seriously look into the inconsistency in officiating,” reads the two-page report, citing Bitilinyu’s contradictions with Kuseli during the ill-tempered match.

Eagles general secretary Mavuto Mbobo yesterday reserved his comment on the verdict, saying he was awaiting the outcome of a meeting in Lilongwe involving the team’s executive committee and coaching panel.

On his part, Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire has called on their supporters, players and coaches to desist from taking the law into their hands, adding that they all have a responsibility to protect the image of sponsors.

“We urge them not to be involved in pitch invasions and attacks on referees, but follow procedures when things go wrong,” Mkandawire advised.

Kuseli and Bitilinyu drew the wrath of Chitedze and Msukwa for extending 12 minutes of extra time of the game, which Bullets won 3-2, after trailing 2-1.