The Super League of Malawi (Sulom) disciplinary committee has fined Chitipa United FC K6 million following acts of misconduct during their TNM Super League match against FCB Nyasa Bullets at Chitipa Stadium on August 23.
In its verdict delivered after a disciplinary hearing chaired by Shadreck Mhango on September 19, the committee found the club and their coach Kondwani Ikwanga guilty of threatening a match official, pitch invasion and bringing the game into disrepute contrary to Article 26 of the rules and regulations.
Ikwanga has been slapped with a three-match touchline ban for threatening a referee and K3 million fine.
The committee noted that although the coach showed remorse and pleaded guilty, his conduct was “deplorable and unbecoming of a head coach,” especially as he had to be restrained by his own players.
The verdict reads in part: “The committee has taken into account the mitigating factor that Kondwani Ikwanga is a first offender. It has also considered that the accused pleaded guilty and therefore, showed remorse and did not waste the time of the committee.
“However, despite such mitigation, the committee is dismayed by the deplorable conduct by the accused. It is the considered view of the committee that the accused being the head-coach was supposed to conduct himself better no matter the grievances he had.
“His act of charging towards the match official was very unbecoming to the extent that his own players restrained him from the same.”
The club has also been fined another K3 million for bringing the game into disrepute.
The committee ruled that despite being first offenders, the incidents at Chitipa Stadium “clearly tarnished the image of the league”.
Further reads the ruling: “The committee under this count has also considered that Chitipa United FC is a first offender. Further, there has also been consideration of the efforts by Chitipa United FC players in restraining Kondwani Ikwanga from the pitch invasion and the charging towards the match official.
“However, the plea of not guilty despite evidence clearly pointing to the conclusion that what transpired at Chitipa Stadium on the material day, when considered in totality, brought the league into disrepute aggravated the case of Chitipa United.”
Sulom general secretary Williams Banda, who signed the verdict, said the club is free to appeal within 48 hours or pay the fines before the next match.
He said: “In total, Chitipa United FC is to pay a sum of K6 million in fines while the head coach is to serve a three matches ban.
“Failure to pay these fines shall result into the forfeiture of the next official match of the accused until such a time the club shall honour the requisite fine.
“Any party aggrieved has a right to appeal within 48 hours upon payment of the requisite appeals fees.” Civil Engineering.”
