Silver fine up, bans reduced to six, four competitive games

The Super League of Malawi (Sulom) appeals committee has even hit harder Silver Strikers, ordering them to fork out K5.2 million, up from previous fine of K2.95 million while Mighty Wanderers’ fine has remained at K700 000 (about $1 750).

Wanderers and Silver general secretaries David Kanyenda and Mike Tembo respectivesl were on Tuesdayinfuriated by the verdict which has slashed the teams’ eight and five months bans from football to four and six competitive games.

“This reduction of punishment has been arrived at considering the plight of the players whose livelihood is solely football, do not have neither productive activities nor employment contract with the respective clubs and have dependants,” reads the statement.

The bans will come in force after a replay of the abandoned game by January 26 2014 at an empty Zomba Community Centre ground.

“The appeals committee enhances the penalty for inciting violence to Silver Strikers FC in line with Article 56 (1) of the Fifa Disciplinary Code and hereby sanctions Silver Strikers FC to pay an (Malawi Kwacha) equivalent of 10 000 Swiss Francs [K4.75 million],” reads the verdict signed by Sulom general secretary Williams Banda.

“The appeals committee upholds the fine of K450 000 each on both Silver Strikers FC and Mighty Wanderers FC for failing to control the improper conduct of their unruly supporters; Mighty Wanderers FC are guilty of failure to provide adequate security to the visiting team …and are hereby fined K250 000 considering that there was security, but it was inadequate with shortfall of 19.”

Sulom legal adviser Felix Tambulasi chaired the appeal over two days from January 19, reads the league’s press statement issued yesterday. The sitting condemned both teams for failing to control their fans.

Silver led 1-0 before the abandonment of the TNM Super League championship decider at Balaka Stadium on December 28 2013.

The fresh verdict absolved players from either side of blame, but identified Silver fans Austin Phiri and Bruno Makina as being ringleaders to the chaos that cost Wanderers fan Lemiyasi Josita’s life.

The committee, without elaborating, further accused Wanderers officials Hubert Mfune and Richard Kambalame of compromising security.

Kanyenda argued that Wanderers are victims; hence, it is Silver who should bear the brunt, adding: “We expected the punishment to be reversed, but it has just been modified. We also expected them to make a statement about compensation of the deceased and the injured fans.”

Tembo said Silver would make a position after an executive committee meeting “but we are unhappy as 10 000 swiss francs is even more than the previous amount and why punish the players through forfeiture of points in the six games when they shoulder no blame?”

The committee has warned that any party that fails to honour the set decisions shall be suspended from all football activities for any period not less than 14 months. It also notes that both terms are habitual offenders “emanating from leadership problems” and recommends to Sulom holding of a workshop for the leaders.

The committee has also recommended that security personnel should be training in public disorder management and crowd control.

—SULOM VERDICT CLICK HERE