Creck Sporting Club say they have challenged FAM determination to fine them K1 million and ban three of their players for incidents that occurred during their Airtel Top 8 quarter-final against FCB Nyasa Bullets on April 26, 2025 at Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe.
The Lilongwe-based outfit’s trio of Miracle Gabeya, Hadji Wali and George Chaomba were charged with assault and misconduct offences contrary to the tournament’s rules and regulations.
In its determination, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) found Chaomba guilty of misconduct for elbowing Bullets’ Henry Chiwaya and sanctioned him with a two-match ban across all competitions “and a straight red card to run concurrently effective immediately”.
The association also found Wali guilty of assaulting Phodo, “who was lying on the ground, by stepping on his hand and leg in an off-ball incident”.
As a result, FAM has slapped the Creck Sporting captain with a four-match ban across all competitions and a straight red card “to run concurrently effective immediately”.
On the other hand, Gabeya was found guilty of stepping on Bullets forward Babatunde Adepoju’s his hand also in an off-the ball incident, and has since been banned for three matches across all competitions as well as a straight red card to run concurrently effective immediately.
But Creck Sporting board chairperson Muhammad Selemani said in an interview yesterday that they have challenged the verdict as they are seeking clarification on some issues.
He said: “For your information, we have been handed two determinations. The first one stated that the bans should apply to the Airtel Top 8.
“Then a day later, they sent us another determination, saying we should disregard the initial one.
“Now, the second determination extends the bans to other competitions. So, we are saying where is the second determination coming from? If anything, there should be a review because materially and legally, this is wrong unless there is a re-hearing.
“So, we have formally written them, saying we don’t agree. The seriousness of the authorities is in question as this is not supposed to be the case. The determinations are affecting material facts which is technically wrong.”
However, FAM competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka in an interview yesterday said they were yet to get Creck Sporting’s communication.
He said: “But the sanctions on players extend to other competitions, that is the practice.”
Zakazaka further said the fine is to be paid before the club’s next match while the sanctions for the players are with immediate effect.
Bullets won the match 1-0 to qualify for the semi-finals after playing out a goalless draw in the first leg.
