Sulom appeals tribunal hears Dedza case

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) appeals tribunal on Thursday heard Dedza Young Soccer Saints case in Lilongwe.

Sulom general secretary Williams Banda said the independent tribunal would release the verdict next week.

Banda said: The appeals committee invited Dedza to a hearing on Thursday evening. Dedza were equally represented. They were heard. Sulom was also heard. The appeals tribunal has asked for time to look at the case. They will release the results next week considering that this has been a high profile case and people are eagerly waiting for the verdict. Once they have reached a verdict, a press briefing will be held.”

The hearing follows High Court order that Sulom has to hear the club’s grievances over the decision to hold play-offs to identify a 16th team to play in the Super League in the 2016 season.

Presiding judge Charles Mkandawire ordered Sulom to call for the hearing after noting that it didn’t give Dedza Young Soccer Saints a chance to be heard.

In his ruling the judge said: “My finding is that had the respondent (Sulom) properly handled the appeal lodged by  the applicant (Dedza Young Soccer Saints) on February 24 2016, which was two weeks before the play-offs,  this matter would not have reached this monumental point. There was casual approach to the whole issue and lack of administration professionalism. I find that the best solution in this matter is to allow for the extension of the injunction that I had granted on March 16 2016.  I order that the respondent should hear the appeal lodged by the applicant using competent authority as per the Sulom statute.”

The appeals committee comprised Davies Saddo, Trouble Kalua and Chrispin Sibande.