Silver Strikers face 9 charges
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has charged Silver Strikers with various counts emanating from the fracas surrounding their FDH Bank Cup quarter-final match against Nyasa Big Bullets on Wednesday last week at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.
Silver won the match 4-2 on post-match penalties after a 2-2 stalemate in regulation time.
Fam’s letter to Silver, signed by Chief Executive Officer Alfred Gunda, states that the first offence was insulting match officials, contrary to Article 24.11 of the 2021 FDH Bank Cup competition rules and regulations.
The letter notes that Silver supporters and players showered insults at Fam officials and match officials.
It also indicates that Silver supporters beat up their opponents, contrary to Article 24.12 of the cup’s rules and regulations.
“During the match, Silver Strikers supporters beat up Nyasa Big Bullets officials namely Stone Mwamadi, Mabvuto Chiwambo and other unknown Bullets supporters. The third offence is beating up a Fam match official, contrary to Article 24.12 of the 2021 FDH Bank Cup Rules and Regulations, whose particulars indicate that Silver Strikers failed to prevent their supporters from beating up a Fam match official Gomezgani Zakazaka around the dressing room area at half time,” the letter reads.
According to the letter, Silver will also have to answer for bullying opponents, contrary to Article 24.12 of the competition’s rules and regulations.
It has faulted the Central Bankers for failing to prevent their supporters, led by Mulo Makina, from pouring urine on Nyasa Big Bullets players and team officials at half time.
“Inciting violence is contrary to Article 24.18 of the 2021 FDH Bank Cup Rules and Regulations. Silver Strikers Football Club supporters led by one Mulo provoked Nyasa Big Bullets Football Club supporters and engaged in violent conduct towards them.
“There was also failure to comply with and implement existing safety rules (Fam regulations and national laws) and take every safety precaution demanded by circumstances before, during and after the match, contrary to article 65.2 of the Fam Disciplinary Code.
“Silver Strikers also failed to control the influx of their supporters into the stadium by opening the gates and allowing them into the stadium, which is against Fam’s Covid regulations on playing behind closed doors,” the letter reads.
It adds that Silver also disturbed their opponents’ team talk, contrary to article 24.20 of the competition’s rules and regulations, when the club failed to prevent their supporters from invading the dressing room area where they prevented Bullets players and team officials from accessing their dressing room at half time.
Another offence was bringing football into disrepute, contrary to Article 67 of Fam’s statutes.
“Silver Strikers failed to control their supporters, led by Mr Mulo Makina, from engaging in improper conduct towards match officials and opponents against the spirit of fair play and name of the sponsor.”
Finally, Silver have also been charged for failing to comply with Fam’s requests for information on names of supporters who were in the company of Makina, contrary to Article 110 of the Fam Disciplinary Code.
“Silver Strikers Football Club have failed and/or refused to provide information regarding the names of the supporters who, together with one Mulo Makina, were involved in misconduct during the match,” the letter reads.
Silver Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Thokozani Chimbali said he had received the letter but asked for more time before commenting.
Fam has also charged Bullets CEO Suzgo Nyirenda for misconduct, saying he insulted opponents and Fam officials contrary to article 24.11 of the cup’s rules and regulations.
“Particulars of the offence are that, during the said match, as a Nyasa Big Bullets official, you persistently insulted Fam officials and opponents contrary to the above provision,” reads Fam’s letter to Bullets.
Nyirenda said he had received the letter and asked Fam to provide recordings on the matter.
