Blue Eagles and Karonga United have reacted differently after being slapped with punishments following misconduct charges over FDH Bank Cup incidents.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Competitions and Marketing Committee released the verdicts Friday.
Eagles were found guilty on two counts of misconduct of pitch invasion and destroying property.
On the first count, Fam has fined Eagles K1 million after the team failed to take all the necessary precautions to prevent their supporters from invading the pitch after the match against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at Bingu National Stadium.
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According to the ruling, Eagles disrupted the medal and trophy presentation ceremony contrary to articles 23.1 and 23.10 of the FDH Bank Cup rules and regulations hence being fined K1 million.
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The police side has also been ordered to pay for the cost of repair and replacement of the damaged property at BNS.
“Fam will facilitate engagement between the club and the FDH Bank consultant to determine the value of the damage,” the determination read.
Eagles, Chief Administration Officer Muhammed Ali said they will not contest the verdicts.
“Some of the things are difficult to understand but as Eagles we will not appeal for the sake of progress because our focus is on rebuilding the side,” Ali said.
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In a related development, Karonga have been fined K1 million over various incidents while their coach has been banned for eight months.
Fam Competitions and Marketing Committee charged the team, their coach Oscar Kaunda and player Pilirani Thulu for misconduct following events that occurred during a 2024 FDH Bank Cup semifinal against Eagles on August 17.
Karonga were found guilty of assaulting and bullying match officials.
According to the ruling, Karonga United failed to prevent their coach Oscar Kaunda and player Pilirani Thulu from assaulting the referee, grabbing his manhood and the supporters from bullying the match officials contrary to articles 23.3 and 23.4 of the FDH Bank Cup rules and regulations read together with article 14.1 (l) of the Fifa Disciplinary Code.
The committee has banned Kaunda from all association football activities for eight months, effective the date of this determination.
This was after the committee noted that Kaunda committed a similar offence in 2018 when he was given a six month ban.
Kaunda has also been fined K500,000 for calling referees corrupt which is contrary to article 23.12 of the cups rules and regulations.
Meanwhile, Thulu has been banned for the rest of the season for grabbing the referees manhood contrary to articles 23.3 and 23.4 of the competition.
Karonga General Secretary Ramzy Simwaka said they have referred the matter to the legal department for their input.
“Once we get a legal opinion that is when we will make our stand,” Simwaka said.
