Grade One referee Godfrey Nkhakananga has been suspended for four months for failure to control the Airtel Top 8 Cup quarterfinal tie between Silver Strikers and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers last Saturday.
Four other referees have also been slapped with suspensions with immediate effect for various offences in games.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam), through the referees committee, released the determinations Friday.
The determinations come at a time when some referees have been under attack for poor officiation.
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According to the determination, Nkhakananga has been suspended for failing to control the ill-fated match by allowing play to continue after blowing the whistle to stop play; continuing play without proper restart; allowing a goal from a dead ball and giving advantage.
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This allowed Silver Strikers to reclaim the lead through Stain Davie after Gaddie Chirwa had cancelled George Chaomba’s opener.
The match was abandoned following commotion that ensued as suspected Wanderers supporters protested.
In another case, referee Deus Nyirongo has been banned for three months for failure to control the game as per the requirements of the Laws of the game in a Super League match between Karonga United and Chitipa United on April 22.
The committee has banned Referee Assessor Zuza Nyondo for four months for poor report writing as he failed to assess and submit a true performance of the referee of the same match.
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Referee Peter Jossam has been slapped with a three months suspension for failing to control the game involving Silver Strikers and Blue Eagles on August 6.
The committee has suspended referee Dave Chombo for six months for poor knowledge and application of the Laws of the game when summoned to a hearing as a witness in a Super League match between Silver and Chitipa on August 1.
Fam Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka confirmed the determinations.
“As stated they are all with immediate effect,” he said.
However, Wanderers Board Secretary Chancy Gondwe was not satisfied with the determinations.
“This is a mockery of justice by our football administrators. The punishments are too lenient and not proportionate to the harm and damage the referees have done to Malawi football,” he said.
