Red Lions to appeal again
Malawi Defence Force (MDF) side Red Lions has expressed interest to contest Super League of Malawi’s Appeals Committee verdict on the violence that erupted after their game against Surestream last month.
Super League of Malawi treasurer, Tiya Somba Banda, confirmed that Red Lions had given notice that they would take the matter up with Football Association of Malawi’s Arbitration Committee.
“They (Red Lions) wrote last Thursday giving a notice to appeal, but they have not yet submitted the appeal,” Somba said.
Fam general secretary, Suzgo Nyirenda, also said they were not aware of Lions’ decision to appeal.
Despite Red Lions’ notice to appeal, Sulom constitution stipulates that they could only do so within 72 hours after the verdict was communicated to them.
The Zomba based soldiers are contesting Super League of Malawi’s Appeals Committee verdict that slashed the fines meted out to eight players but maintained their suspension.
The Appeals Committee slashed the fine from K3.6 million to K3.1 million for the violence.
Red Lions were initially fined K450,000 as a club for failing to control their players, officials and supporters.
Eight players plus their team doctor were given K350,000 fine each. Dickson Mbetewa and Lot Chawinga were banned from playing football under Sulom for 12 months while the other players got six-month ban.
In their appeal to Sulom, Lions argued that the determination was unfair, because of duplication of charges, lack of evidence to support the charges, abuse of discretion in that the determination was discriminatory since Lions is a military team.
Lions also argued that the verdict was in breach of rules of natural justice and that the punishment was excessive.
The violence that started after Lions drew 2-2 with Surestream, claimed the life of 24-year old Geoffrey Mwale.
Mwale died after spending about a month in the hospital after he was assaulted by alleged Red Lions supporters.
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