Wanderers fined K500 000 for pitch invasion

Mighty Be Forward Wanderers have been fined K500 000 after pleading guilty of pitch invasion following the Nomads’ triumph over Silver Strikers in the Carlsberg Cup final on September 10 at Kamuzu Stadium.

The Nomads were charged with unsporting behaviour and bringing the game into disrepute, according to a statement from Football Association o f Malawi (FAM).

“On  September 13 2016 FAM charged Be Forward Wanderers for failure to control its supporters contrary to article 24.1; pitch invasion contrary to article 24.10 and bringing the game into disrepute as per article 24.21,” the statement reads.

In response, Wanderers accepted the charges.

“We accept the charges laid against us and we regret the occurrence. We made all the efforts to have an incident-free final which included meetings with our main supporters committee and all other subcommittees.

“But all of us were helpless against the emotions in our supporters evoked by winning the cup. Such emotions could have been handled by our security personnel who, unfortunately, were equally overwhelmed. We regret the incident and apologise whole heartedly,” Nomads general secretary Mike Butao said in a response to FAM.

Wanderers will also pay the cost of repairs for the damage caused by its supporters which are estimated at K1million.  n