‘Sulom’s fines all about fundraising’
Silver Strikers General Secretary, Thabo Chakaka- Nyirenda, has said they will challenge the fines Super League of Malawi (Sulom) Disciplinary Committee has imposed on the Bankers for various offences.
Nyirenda faulted the manner in which Sulom came up with the verdict in which it orders the team to pay over K2 million, describing the verdict, which was released on Wednesday, as a fundraiser.
“We strongly believe that Sulom is using the alleged misconduct as a way of fundraising. This should never be the case. Silver Strikers FC will certainly challenge the verdict,” Nyirenda, who is also a lawyer, said while also questioning the wording of the verdicts.
Sulom also fined eight other clubs.
Nyirenda said, contrary to Sulom’s claims, he had established that no disciplinary hearing took place on the matter.
“The statement from Sulom says that we were charged and asked to respond within 48 hours but we did not see any charge. Therefore, how did they come up with the verdict when we were not heard?
“Moreover, where and when did the hearing take place? So, in simple terms, the hearing did not take place and that is why we are challenging the verdict,” he said.
Nyasa Big Bullets interim General Secretary, Albert Chigoga, on Monday also accused Sulom of not hearing them out.
“Nyasa Big Bullets does not subscribe to unconstitutional machinations to punish it without formally applying principles of natural justice. Be it Sulom or any organ, passing sentence before hearing [from] us smacks of gross injustice.
“As a club, we refuse to be cowed into submission. Let Sulom follow its own constitution in handling cases involving football to avoid criticism,” Chigoga said.
Bullets have been fined K1 million for two offences while Wanderers have been slapped with K1million for two counts.
Sulom General Secretary, Williams Banda, said Silver were free to challenge the verdict by following the right procedure within the time frame of appeal.
“The law provides for the right of teams to appeal against verdicts. However, Silver Strikers should not insist that they were not given the charge [sheet] to respond.
“In fact, some of their verdicts have been delayed because they asked us to allow them to investigate the incidences. I can confirm that only Bullets and Mzuni responded to their charges within 48 hours and, in that case, the committee proceeds with its determination,” Banda said.
A vibrant writer who gives a great insight on hot topics and issues
