FAM fines Master Security

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has fined Master Security FC K300 000 (about $450) and charged TNM Super League side Silver Strikers for unsporting behaviour in their recent Presidential Cup games.

Master Security, a Chipiku Premier League team, has been fined after FAM disciplinary committee found them guilty of manhandling referee Roy Williams during their match against hosts Civo United on May 11, according to FAM competitions manager Gomezgani Zakazaka.

He said Silver Strikers have been charged for displaying similar unsporting behaviour after their supporters assaulted match officials at the end of their Presidential Cup round of 16 play-off against Blue Eagles at Silver Stadium on May 18.

“These two sides violated Article 27/10 of the Presidential Cup rules and regulations. Master Security must pay the fine before their next official match while Silver Strikers have until Wednesday, May 25, to respond to the charge,” said Zakazaka in a statement.

Master Security owner and sponsor Alfred Gangata could not be reached for his comment as we went to press, but the team’s coach Benjamin Kumwenda said his boss has agreed to pay the fine.

“I have not seen the letter from FAM about the fine, but Gangata told me on Monday that he will just pay the fine,” Kumwenda said.

On the other hand, Silver Strikers general secretary Thabo Chakaka-Nyirenda denied the charges against his team yesterday saying FAM has not given them sufficient information to indicate that it was indeed Silver supporters, who were involved in the fracas.

“We received the charge yesterday, but we have asked FAM to present us with sufficient information so that we can properly respond to the charge. We need to know which people were beaten up, witnesses and reports from match officials to back the claim,” Chakaka-Nyirenda said.

“We are keen to have a fair trial and, as such, we need to know if the alleged fight was as a result of the match or quarrels about some other issues. Also what evidence is there that such individuals were Silver supporters.” n