Dust has finally settled between Football Association of Malawi (Fam) and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers after the club swallowed its pride and accepted the ruling of the Appeals Committee after challenging the Disciplinary Committee’s determination of their Airtel Top 8 Cup first leg quarterfinal against Silver Strikers.
This comes after the Fam Appeals Committee, through a virtual meeting on December 13 2023, which was attended by both parties, upheld the Disciplinary Committee’s determination of the matter in part.
The latest verdict by the Appeals Committee and Ethics Committee Chairperson Arthur Nanthuru dismissed the rest of the appeal where Silver Strikers were declared winners of the second leg match by a 2-0 margin after Wanderers failed to show up.
However, the committee upheld the determination to fine Wanderers K22 million for the damage to Bingu National Stadium (NBS) during a fracas that happened on September 23.
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Wanderers’ Board Secretary Chancy Gondwe, through a statement, said the club will not pursue the matter further in the best interest of the game.
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“Kindly be advised that, as Wanderers, we have accepted the ruling by the court of last instance. Though we intended toescalate the issue to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), we feel we must accept this ruling in the interest of football in this country,’’ the letter reads.
However, Wanderers have asked Fam to address gaps that exist in its dispute resolution system.
“It is high time the dispute resolution mechanism under the Fam statutes was revisited and reviewed to address some of the gaps that were uncovered and noted throughout this whole process,’’ the letter reads.
The ruling means the K2 million fine for causing match abandonment and K500,000 for failing to control the supporters have been scrapped off. Sports analyst Parry Chinyama said Wanderers have made a good decision.
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“It is good that Wanderers have considered elements of fair play in this matter. They had some valid points but they might have made this decision to avoid derailing the competition. Let football be the winner,’’ Chinyama said.
The first leg match was abandoned in added time after Stain Davie scored the winner for Silver while referee Godfrey Nkhakananga had blown for handball.
Before the contentious moment, the two teams were tied at 1-1, with Silver having opened the scores through GeorgeChaomba before Gaddie Chirwa levelled for the Nomads.
After a long period of wrangling and determinations, Fam arranged the second leg match but Wanderers staged a no-
show, insisting that they would only play once the matter was brought to a logical conclusion. Wanderers have appealed against the Fam determination on three occasions.
Silver spokesperson Willard Chakanika said it is pleasing that the matter has finally been resolved.
“We have to move on with our preparations. Honestly, such things were not good for the image of football and the sponsor,’’ he said.
However, Fam Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka said Wanderers are not off the hook yet as they have to answer charges for failing to show up for their match against Silver.
“Wanderers were charged with misconduct for failing to honour the second leg fixture against Silver Strikers. The committee will meet and discuss the way forward,” he said.
The winner between Silver and Mafco will meet FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in the final at the same venue.
Meanwhile, Fam has announced that Silver and Mafco will play their match at BNS on Tuesday.
This means the football calendar, which was scheduled to end on December 31, has been extended by six days. The calendar was initially supposed to end with the Castel Challenge Cup final.
