FAM softens on Nomads impasse
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has softened its stand on the impasse with Mighty Mukuru Wanderers by postponing the Airtel Top 8 semi-final between Silver Strikers and Mafco.
A statement from FAM released yesterday states that the Silver Strikers and Mafco semi-final match will be played after a determination of Airtel Top 8 quarter-final first leg between the bankers and Wanderers.
Reads the statement in part: “FAM wishes to announce that the FAM Appeals Committee has commenced the appeals process on the FAM Disciplinary Committee determination on the appeal by Mighty Mukuru Wanderers against the FAM Competitions Committee.
“Wanderers expressed intention to appeal against the FAM Disciplinary Committee’s determination which upheld the decisions by the FAM Competitions in relation to events during the 2023 Airtel Top 8 quarterfinal first leg between Silver Strikers and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on 23rd September 2023.
“As a result of this process, the Airtel Top Semi-final match between Silver Strikers and Mafco, which was scheduled for Sunday 10th December 2023 [today] has been postponed to a later date.”
In an interview yesterday, FAM competition and communication director Gomezgani Zakazaka said “the appeal is only for the first leg”.
One of Wanderers lawyers, David Kanyenda said they are satisfied with FAM’s decision although they would have loved if the second leg, which they forfeited to Silver, was postponed.
He also said they would demand that their punishment for failing to turn up for the match should be scrapped.
Said Kanyenda: “Partially satisfied. We would have been happier had they postponed the second leg. They erred to schedule the second leg fixture. To a large extent, the 24-hour ultimatum [we gave them]has served its purpose. But we will demand that they should withdraw their trumped up charges based on the second leg, failing which we will take retaliatory action. We know our rights. Our client won’t be bullied or cowed into submission at all.”
However, FAM said it has started disciplinary proceedings against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Football Club for their failure to show up at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre for the 2023 Airtel Top 8 quarter-final second leg match on December 6.
