Silver, Epac claim damages

Silver Strikers have said they will claim damages for the vandalism that occurred at their stadium during the Super League game involving Epac and Big Bullets last Sunday.

The Bankers’ general secretary Mike Tembo said yesterday the damages are still being assessed, but warned to take action if the Super League governing body does not comply.

“If the claim will not be met then I am afraid we won’t allow other teams to use it as their home ground and we hope that for the fairness of things, they will act accordingly,” he said.

Tembo said, in the wake of the repairs being carried out, the stadium has been closed temporarily.

“We can’t play in the current state because it is a hazard,” he said.

And in a letter dated June 16, 2014 addressed to Sulom and copied to FAM, Big Bullets and Epac, the Bankers condemned the behaviour of some fans.

“At the end of the game, the following happened: Big Bullets supporters invaded the pitch baying for the blood of the officiating team, the behaviour which was dangerous and un-acceptable.

“The same Bullets supporters threw missiles into the pitch, which consisted of glass/plastic bottles and stones.”

The letter further stated that property was targeted and damaged besides several other people also suffering injuries.

According to the letter, [concrete] drainage covers were taken off the drains and broken into pieces for missiles to be used in the attacks which took place at the ground.

“The exposed drainages now pose as a hazard to the public as you cannot convene any other big public meeting at the stadium without repairing such drainage system.

“A tap was uprooted, leaving water flowing, whereby it was not possible to stop the water till morning, incurring unnecessary bills to the stadium,” reads the letter in part.

The letter further states that a team bus for Epac FC had its windscreen smashed by the missiles that were thrown by irrate football fans.

“Total costs of the stated damages will be made available after the maintenance department finalises the assessment, as the ground cannot be used with such hazardous drains uncovered,” stated the letter.

Silver also observed that the referee made some serious errors while officiating the game by letting some foul play proceed without awarding a free kick to the infringed team, such that when blew for the penalty, Bullets fans did not take it positively, hence the ugly scenes.

“Bullets fans could not accept defeat hence the unacceptable throwing of missiles,” read the letter in conclusion.

In a related development, Epac Football Club have written Sulom demanding K1.5 million for the damage caused to the team’s bus. The club’s chairperson and patron Dini Josaya Banda said they went to Toyota Malawi where the damage was assessed. “I was in the company of Sulom officials when we visited Toyota Malawi and we have since written Sulom an official letter seeking damage to that amount,” said Josaya Banda. He said due to the damage to the team’s bus they will have trouble fulfilling fixtures this weekend.

Meanwhile, Sulom is yet to determine penalties over the fracas at Silver Stadium.

Sulom general secretary Williams Banda said yon Thursday the body is currently collecting reports from stakeholders who were involved and witnessed the scene.

“I cannot disclose when the result of the case will be out; we will follow the rules and regulation to determine the case. As of now just take that the reports have started being submitted to us from relevant stakeholders such as the referees, match commissioners, the two teams, stadium authorities, security personnel and our representative,” said Banda.

He said the reports will be forwarded to Suloms legal affairs committee which is responsible.