Mafco fined for referee assault
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has fined Mafco Football Club K500 000 and suspended its player Innocent Kafunda for assaulting match officials during their Castel Challenge Cup match against Bangwe All Stars on November 19 2023 at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre.
The verdict which we have seen says FAM competitions committee found Kafunda guilty of assaulting first assistant referee MabvutoGodoya and fourth official Mike Misinjo.
Mafco, on the other hand, was found in the wrong for failing to control the player.
The verdict reads in part: “The competitions committee having reviewed relevant reports and evidence and as mandated by article 24.2 of the 2023 Castel Challenge Cup Rules and Regulations made the following findings and determinations: Mr Innocent Kafunda was found guilty of confronting the first assistant referee and assaulting the fourth official at the end of the said match contrary to Article 24.12 of the Castle Challenge Cup Rules and Regulations.
“Mr Kafunda is hereby banned from all football activities for a period of 12 months effective February 8 2024. Mafco FC were found guilty of failure to take necessary precautions to prevent their player from displaying unsporting behaviour contrary to Articles 24.1 and 24.12 of the 2023 Castel Challenge Cup Rules and Regulations. Mafco are hereby fined K500 000.”
According the match commissioner’s report, Kafunda assaulted the officials in protest to the referees’ decisions.
“After the final whistle, Mafco player by the name of Innocent Kafunda, jersey number 28, started assaulting first assistant referee Mabvuto Godoya , and afterwards, went on to assault the reserve referee Mike Misinjo,” the match commissioner’s report reads in part.
FAM competitions and communication director Gomezgani Zakazaka confirmed the development in an interview.
He said: “Any party not satisfied with decision, has the right to appeal to the FAM Disciplinary Committee within 72 hours of receiving this letter and upon payment of K800 000 as per Article 15.2 of the Castel Challenge Cup Rules and Regulations.”
Reacting to this, Mafco chairperson Cydrick Chisale said they are satisfied with the verdict.
“We have taken measures to discipline our player. Noone should be beaten in a game of football. It’s a game of respect,” he said.
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