Africa-Press – Malawi. Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have appealed against Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Competitions Committee’s verdict after the club was fined K1 million for being found guilty over two offences.
Wanderers were found guilty for putting the game in disrepute and also bullying opponents when the side hosted Mafco in the first leg of the Airtel Top 8 Cup quarterfinal at Kamuzu Stadium on November 6. However, in a letter dated November 25, Wanderers have challenged the ruling.
“The verdict by the Fam Competitions Committee was wrong in principle and in fact as the evidence disclosed to the club does not show that Mighty Mukuru Wanderers supporters poured liquid substance to Mafco players.
“The evidence disclosed to the club had nothing to do with the game that took place on 6th November, 2022 in the Airtel Top 8 Cup and as such there was no evidence before the Tribunal to support the charges levelled against the club,” reads part of the appeal signed by Wanderers Board Secretary Chancy Gondwe.
The appeal also stated that Fam Competitions Committee erred at law by failing to accord the club a hearing after the club responded to the charges exonerating itself from the conduct of the individual supporters but instead proceeded to mete out a punishment without according the appellant a hearing.
“The decision by Fam Competitions Committee is premature as it has been made without hearing the alleged supporters and without a finding of liability on the part of the supporters which is wrong both at law and in principle.
“The decision by the Fam Competitions Committee was made in flagrant violation of the rules of natural justice as the verdict was made without hearing the club on the alleged charge,” the letter read.
Furthermore, Wanderers also challenge the verdict on the second count. The team alleges that there was no evidence by the match commissioner in his report that the club failed to control their supporters from engaging in improper conduct.
“The verdict by Fam Competitions Committee lacked the grounds upon which the decision was made and the same was against the principles of accountability and transparency in decision making by the Tribunal,” the letter reads.
Gondwe confirmed appealing saying they were exercising their freedom based on the grounds raised in their appeal. “As of now I can’t comment further,” he said.
Fam General Secretary Alfred Gunda could not be reached for a comment. However, Mafco were also fined K1 million for bullying and threatening match officials. The team was also slapped with a K500,000 suspended fine for bringing the game into disrepute.
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