Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has revealed that it will not spare its rod from whipping TNM Super League defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets if the giants are found guilty of causing abandonment of the match against Silver Strikers and subsequent violence.
This follows acts of violence and hooliganism that marred their Sunday’s league match at Kamuzu Stadium.
Violence erupted soon after Silver substitute Chinsinsi Maonga scored in the 90th minute to hand his side a precious victory.
A section of alleged Bullets fans pelted the pitch with various objects and the situation took over 15 minutes before referee Gift Chicco blew the final whistle with four minutes of added time remaining.
Sulom Vice General Secretary Donnex Chilongo said the People’s Team will not go scot-free.
“We condemn in strongest terms what happened at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday and we, as Sulom, will not watch this happen. It is not a secret anymore that the home team failed to control actions of their supporters and also failed to provide security in the match, thereby bringing the game and name of the sponsor into disrepute,” Chilongo said.
According to a highly-placed source at Sulom, Bullets will be charged with at least three counts.
“The charges will include failure to control actions of supporters according to article 26.2.31 and 26.2.33 of Sulom rules and regulations. The team will also be charged with failing to provide adequate security in accordance with articles 26.2.1 and 26.2.47 of the Sulom constitution. One of the charges, which is also obvious, is bringing the game into disrepute in accordance with the league’s constitution on article 26.2.25,” the source said.
Meanwhile, Kamuzu Stadium Manager Irene Zilinda Mkoko has said they had done an assessment of the venue and they will furnish stakeholders with a report.
“There were no major damages but I cannot go into details,” Mkoko said.
Meanwhile, Bullets Chief Administration Officer Albert Chigoga has said his team will react to the charges that are yet to be imposed by Sulom once the league administrators release them.
“Bullets do not condone acts of hooliganism. As a club that set the pace of football commercialisation in the country, we are fully aware that such acts affect any organisation in terms of patronage.
“A true Bullets supporter is civilised. Whatever happened on that day was perpetrated by people who are not genuine supporters of our football club because a genuine supporter cannot behave in a manner that brings their club in trouble. We will only react to the charges when they are sent to us.
Bullets are now fifth on the log table.
