Mafco appeals against FAM verdict

Malawi Armed Forces College (Mafco) FC has appealed against Football Association of Malawi’s (FAM) competitions sub-committee ruling to slap it with fines amounting to K1.25 million and the ban of three players and an official.

FAM slapped Mafco team manager David Gulaimfa with a three-year ban while TNM Super League joint leading scorer Richard Mbulu is suspended for the rest of the season for the violence that led to the postponement of the Carlsberg Cup quarter-final against Nyasa Big Bullets at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota.

FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda confirmed receiving Mafco’s appeal, saying it will be referred to the association’s disciplinary committee.

“I can confirm that we are in receipt of the appeal from Mafco and we have an assurance from them that they will pay the required K400 000 appeal fee,” he said.

FAM also ruled that Chitowe Stadium will no longer host FAM sanctioned matches until further notice.

Bullets player Chimwemwe Kumkwawa was also fined K150 000 and further suspended for three matches for retaliating.

The fracas started when Bullets wanted to have a feel of the venue ahead of the quarter-final as per rules and regulations of the cup.

“The committee considered reports submitted by the match coordinator, Mafco FC and Nyasa Big Bullets. From the reports it clearly emerged that there was a fracas that started as a result of Mafco invading the pitch and disturbing [Bullets] training session.

“This was clearly admitted in the report submitted by Mafco  general secretary, and was corroborated by the match coordinator’s report. It was noted during the meeting that this invasion followed spoken instructions from Mafco team manager David Gulaimfa,” the verdict reads in part. n