National Sports

Marinica reported to CAF

Malawi national football team coach Mario Marinica has been reported to Confederation of African Football (CAF) following his outburst during the Flames’ Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup match against e-Swatini, formerly Swaziland.

A report from the tournament’s coordinator, which we have seen, says the Flames tactician hurled insults at Zambian  referee Moonje Hamalila and an e-Swatini player after Malawi conceded a penalty in added on time.

Accused of acting unprofessionally: Marinica

The report reads in part: “We had a serious challenge with the unruly behaviour of Malawi national coach [Marian Marinica], team manager Steve Madeira as well as player number 7 [Micium Mhone] who hurled insults at the designated referee and designated officials following his team conceding at the last minute of the game.”

Marinica is a accused of conducting himself unprofessionally in front of broadcasters.

The report reads further: “The coach hurled insults at the e-Swatini man-of-the-match as follows: ‘you are a cheater. I hope you break your leg and not go far with your career’.

“These were comments shouted towards the player while he was receiving his award.

“He also made comments about how African referees will never officiate at World Cup finals because of cheating.”

Marinica also shunned the post-match press briefing, saying he did not want to be there with the e-Swatini coach Dominic Kunene.

“I did not want to share the table with cheats,” the coach said in an interview yesterday.

Marinica later returned for interviews with the media and apologised for his actions.

The report further says Mhone and Madeira wanted to beat up the referees and were restrained by the security personnel.

The report reads further: “The main challenge that was experienced for this match was the unfortunate behaviour of team manager and player Micium who wanted to attack the referees after the match.

“Thanks security personnel who acted very promptly to stop the officials to be attacked.”

Marinica yesterday said he hopes he won’t be punished while Football Association of Malawi competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said he was aware of the incident and the subsequent report.

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