BB face 6 counts
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has charged Nyasa Big Bullets with 6 counts following the unsporting behaviour of their supporters, players and officials during the Airtel Top 8 final against Blue Eagles at Bingu National Stadium last Sunday.
Bullets have been charged with failing to control the actions of their supporters contrary to article 24.1, pitch invasion (article 24. 1), insulting match officials, opponents and FAM officials (article 24.11), beating up or bullying match officials, FAM (article 24.12), and criticising of match officials in public (article 24.13), according to a statement signed by FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda.
These actions, in the end, put the game of football into disrepute contrary to FAM and Fifa rules and regulations.
As we went to press, Bullets were given 24 hours to respond to the charges.
Bullets chief executive officer (CEO) Fleetwood Haiya was not available for comment.
However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, Bullets denied responsibility of the violence, but rather blamed the referee Misheck juwa for the incident after he awarded a controversial penalty to eventual winners Eagles in added time.
“It is our view that this incident was avoidable had the FA taken precautions prior to the match by identifying and allocating competent officiating personnel,” reads Bullets’ statement in part.
However, the club condemned the incident saying it was against the People’s Team’s ethos.
“Violence goes against what we stand for as People’s Team. It also tarnishes the reputation of the club and the millions of well-mannered supporters who make up the Nyasa Big Bullets family,” reads the statement.
This is the second time in four weeks for the People’s Team to been involved in such behaviour.
Bullets supporters also threw missiles on the pitch during their 1-1 draw against Be Forward Wanderers in the league at the same venue last month.
They were charged with almost similar offences, but the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) is yet to come up with the verdict.
Sulom general secretary Williams Banda yesterday said they were waiting for the disciplinary committee to release the verdict.
Bullets are also on a two-year K2.5 million suspended fine from November 2017 following the violence that erupted during Fisd Challenge Cup match against Karonga United at MDC Stadium.
They were warned not to commit similar offences for two years.
