Super League of Malawi (Sulom) Appeals’ Committee has ordered a fresh hearing on the circumstances that led to the failure of the TNM Super League match involving Be Forward Wanderers and Mzuni.
Sulom Appeals’ Committee, which met on November 18 in Lilongwe after an appeal by Wanderers, dismissed the league governing body’s Disciplinary Committee verdict on the match, which failed to take place at Balaka Stadium on November 4 after Mzuni officials and coaches were allegedly assaulted.
The Appeals’ Committee, comprising Khumbo Soko, Khumbuzine Dossi and Mwabi Kaluba, punched holes into the Disciplinary Committee’s handling of the matter.
“The Appeals’ Committee is of the firm view that in respect of incidences at Balaka stadium on November 4 2017, justice can only be attained if parties are heard by a Disciplinary Committee that conducts the hearing in strict compliance with Article 36 of the Constitution.
“The verdict of the Disciplinary Committee made on November 10 2017 in respect of the incidences at Balaka Stadium on November 4 2017 during the planned match between Be Forward Wanders Football Club and Mzuni Football Club is hereby set aside to accord Be Forward Wanderers and Mzuni FC the 72 hours’ notice requirement as well as the charges as provided for in Article 36 of the Sulom Constitution,” reads part of the determination.
The Disciplinary Committee had ruled that the Nomads and Mzuni should play at a neutral venue, prompting Wanderers to challenge the verdict.
The Nomads challenged the verdict on the grounds that there was no sufficient evidence, the composition of the committee was compromised and that Wanderers were not accorded a fair hearing.
The Disciplinary Committee also fined Wanderers K1.1 million and Mzuni K1 million for perpetrating the brawl that resulted in some of the visitors’ coaches and officials being injured.
Wanderers General Secretary, Mike Butao, welcomed the Appeals Committee’s determination cautiously.
“This is probably the first time [that] a club has ever appealed in Malawi football and won the appeal. This will encourage clubs to even play under protest when they feel wronged, as Mzuni ought to have done, if indeed they were abused or roughed up as they claim
“We hope [that] true justice will continue to take its course as we see this issue to its logical conclusion. Our contention still remains that Mzuni did not turn up for the match and the football result should have counted at that time,” Butao said.
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