Moyale punished for violent acts

Sulom has thrown the book at Moyale Barracks FC after finding them guilty of violent acts during and after their league match against Big Bullets at Mzuzu Stadium on Saturday.

According to a letter released on Wednesday from the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) addressed to the club’s general secretary, at the disciplinary committee meetings held on September 10 and 11 2012 chaired by Sulom treasurer Tiya Somba-Banda, Moyale Barracks FC were found in breach of statutes stipulated in articles of the league’s constitution and Fifa disciplinary code.

Moyale have been fined K470 000 (about $1620) payable before the next fixture which is on September 16 2012 and failure shall lead to forfeiture of points.

Four of the club’s key players, namely Anthony Manda, Timothy Nyirenda, Victor Phiri and Lovemore Mitengo have been slapped with bans ranging from five games to six months each and they have also been fined.

That is not all. For failing to provide security at the stadium and failing to control their fans and players, the Malawi Defence Force outfit will play four of their home games at a neutral venue deemed fit by Sulom.

A further ban of four matches will be effected if Moyale does not furnish Sulom with findings of the incident inquiry the team has established by November 30 2012. The ban is effective from their next fixture, which is on September 16 2012.

The club has also been ordered to refund any medical expenses incurred by the officiating personnel due to the assault.

“All other sanctions are with immediate effect,” reads part of the letter signed by Somba-Banda.

According to Sulom, Moyale failed to provide adequate security at the stadium as evidenced by the violent scenes and assaults on the officiating personnel at half-time and after the game.

“Its players and supporters disturbed the normal proceedings of the game as the officiating personnel were assaulted at half-time and denied entry to the dressing room for a refresher.

“[The] players and supporters behaved in a manner which brought Sulom and its sponsor TNM in disrepute. [Article 13.1.6 of Sulom],” further reads part the verdict.

The league also said the fracas caused by Moyale players and supporters led to breach of peace.

Manda was found guilty of assaulting Bullets player Douglas Chirambo by punching him after being fouled in the 70th minute and was consequently banned for five matches.

Nyirenda, who assaulted assistant referee Victor Nkhata by punching him at the end of the game, was slapped with a six-month ban.

“And his action ignited the violence from the supporters and further assaults on the three officiating personnel of the game, [namely] Messers Victor Nkhata, Mabvuto Godoya and Williams Chidyaonga. His actions also brought Sulom and its sponsor into disrepute,” states the ruling.

Phiri and Mitengo, who attacked referee Godoya were slapped with a six-month ban each.

However, Moyale’s general secretary Major James Chilambe on Tuesday said they would appeal against the verdict.

“We are definitely appealing because we feel the punishment is severe considering that the match commissioner as well as the disciplinary committee noted that the officiating personnel failed to control the proceedings of the match and that we have also instituted investigations on the same,” said Chilambe.

Sulom also said in response, Moyale Barracks accepted the charges and condoned the unbecoming behaviour of both their supporters and players.

However, the disciplinary committee found that the officiating personnel failed to take a firm line on the proceedings and that their performance was below par.

“The first assistant referee [Nkhata] and the referee [Godoya] were constantly contradicting each other as evident in the match commissioners’ report and witnessed by spectators,” states the verdict.

The disciplinary committee therefore recommended to the National Referees Committee (NRC) not to allocate Godoya (the referee) any Super League game for the next three months.

The committee further expressed its concern to the NRC on the standard of officiation and urged it to ensure that referees are following the laws of the game to the fullest.

Sulom further states that any aggrieved party is free to appeal in accordance with existing rules and regulations within 48 hours from the date of the letter.