Bullets accuse reporters of bias

The issue of football bias has a new course with Big Bullets making an open stud lunge on some sports reporters, accusing them of taking sides with their respective region’s teams.

Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire said this in reaction to how some reporters ‘exaggerated’ some skirmishes that punctuated the TNM’s Super League game against Epac FC on Sunday in Lilongwe.

“When we win, Bullets is never given the prominence that other teams get in the print media. And now, while I do not condone violence, it is surprising that sponsors are being dragged into the Lilongwe incident. Other teams have been involved in violence, but sponsors are never dragged into such issues,” said Mkandawire.

During a game marking the launch of Carlsberg Malawi Cup sponsorship, some Mighty Wanderers fans stoned the pitch in anger at what they felt was biased officiation. But according to Mkandawire, the matter was not exaggerated by the media as is the case with Bullets.

Bullets supporters committee general secretary Frank ‘Nyau’ Msiska on Wednesday also expressed disappointment that Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu commented on Bullets’ Lilongwe issue and not a similar incident involving Wanderers the other time.

But Nyamilandu in his remarks after Lilongwe incident said he was quoted out of context as he condemned violence in general and not necessarily on Bullets—as reported in the media on Wednesday.

Asked to comment on the reports of bias, MBC sports presenter Frank Kandu said: “No one wants negative publicity, so when such things happen, they pile the blame on the media. That is something interesting. It all depends on whether the reporters show the bias in their personal perspective or as a media house.”