Dedza stick to guns

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) yesterday applied for discharge of an injunction Dedza Young Soccer obtained at the High Court in Lilongwe in a case where the club is contesting play-offs meant to identify the 16th team to play in the Super League.

According to vice-secretary general Thoko Chazema, Sulom lawyers KD Freeman & Associates are expected to continue their submissions today.

Sulom wants to vacate the injunction because football matters cannot be taken to conventional courts before exhausting all channels set up by Football Association of Malawi (FAM).

However, Dedza Young Soccer have stood their ground saying they obtained the injunction because Sulom and FAM were unjust by refusing to listen to their case.

Club general secretary Harold Mmora said they followed the normal channel, but they were not given a chance to be heard.

“We submitted our appeal to Sulom and FAM, but the two bodies did not give us a chance to hear our case. The next thing we heard was that the play-offs were going ahead,” said Mmora.

The general secretary said they were left with no choice after FAM also gave them a cold shoulder.

“Can someone tell us where we are supposed to take the matter if Sulom and FAM don’t grant us a chance to appeal against injustices, then?

“FAM put us in a situation where the only viable option was to seek justice in the ordinary court,” he said.

The club argues that it was supposed to be reinstated as the 16th team because it finished on 13th position just a step below the relegation zone.

However, FAM approved the play-offs which started on Friday with Wizards beating Airborne Rangers 2-1 at Civo Stadium before an injunction flew in.

FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda confirmed receiving an appeal letter from the Saints.

He, however, said that the soccer governing body’s legal team was yet to make a decision.