Karonga United fined K3.5m
Sulom has fined Karonga United K3.5 million for breaking several rules during their TNM Super League match against Silver Strikers on June 27 this year at Karonga Stadium.
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has also banned Karonga United assistant coach Oscar Kaunda for the rest of the season from official matches and the team manager Wilberforce Longwe has been banned for six official matches with immediate effect.
The match was abandoned towards the end when referee Mercy Kayira awarded the hosts a penalty before changing her decision after consulting one of her assistants.
At the time of the abandonment, the Central Bankers were leading 1-0 through Blessings Tembo’s goal.
In the determination, Sulom awarded Silver three points with 0-2 win, but fined them K500 000 for confrontation with match officials.
Reads part of the verdict: “The charges against Karonga United were two-fold. The first count was that Karonga United FC failed to control the actions of its players, officials and supporters contrary to article 21(2) of the Sulom Rules and Regulations.
“The second count was for failing to provide adequate security to the match officials, visiting team and spectators.
“The third count was that of causing the abandonment of the match and the forth count was of bringing the game of football into disrepute.”
The fines are payable before the next official match and failure to do so will lead to forfeiture of points.
Furthermore, Karonga United have been warned that any occurrence of disorderliness such as violence, harassment, assault or bullying of match officials will lead to ban the team and the venue from official matches.
The verdict has also cautioned the referees Kayira and Samuel Fudzulani who were recommended to National Football Referees Association to be suspended.
Reacting to the punishment, Karonga United general secretary Ramzy Simwaka said the determination has alot of errors and that they have referred the issue to their legal officers to file an appeal.
“If they are saying Karonga United was on the wrong side over the mess why have they fined Silver Strikers. It seems they don’t know what they are doing,” he said.
On his part, Silver Strikers chief executive officer Thoko Chimbali said it was worrisome that Sulom is not being consistent.
He said: “The issue in question is fining our players for confronting the referee. Red Lions were not punished when their players confronted the referee in our game. How should players engage the referees on the field of play? Where is the protection of players when all over the world players protest decisions of referees for clarity or possible reversal after review?
“We surely need clarification for we feel many other teams will be affected by this.”
Football analyst George Kaudza Masina also said the determination need to be revisited as it has loopholes that can be challenged because it appears the penalties have centred on the host team.
