Ntopwa Queens owner gets one-year ban

Southern Region Women Football Committee (SRWFC) has banned Ntopwa Super Queens owner Isaac Jomo Osman for one year and fined him K20 000 following a fracas that erupted during his team’s game against Blantyre Zero last month.

SRWFC general secretary Immaculate Chiwaya yesterday said they have also given Queens players Mwayi Kasiya, Atupele Tambala and Carol Nantupa three-match suspension and K5 000 fine each for being involved in the mayhem that led to the injury of Blantyre Zero defender Lukia Sanudi.

Osman, who has since announced that the verdict has forced him to stop sponsoring the team, accused SRWFC of bias.

He said there was no way only one team could be punished for a fight that involved players and officials from two sides.

According to Chiwaya, they arrived at the decision after their disciplinary committee analysed evidence from witnesses who watched the Presidential Initiative on Sports (PIS) Southern Region Women Football semi-final at Escom ground on the fateful day.

“The disciplinary committee discovered that Mr. Osman failed to control his players when the fracas started. The three players have been punished for beating Blantyre Zero players and referees. The punishment will be effective January 2014,” she said.

She added that if Ntopwa Super Queens are not satisfied with the verdict, they should appeal within 48 hours from yesterday.

But Osman said he would not appeal, but would rather stop bankrolling his team “because it is clear the verdict is aimed at tarnishing my good image in the local football arena.”

“Everybody knows that it was players and officials from both camps that fought. Now, how could only members from one team get punished? Was the fight between us and ghosts? These people are killing women football.

“I will not appeal, but
I will stop sponsoring the team so that their [SRWFC officials’] wishes
should be fulfilled,” Osman said.