Nomads accuse FAM body of intimidation

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have accused Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions committee of intimidation during the hearing of a case on their abandoned Airtel Top 8 quarter-final against Silver Strikers.

The Nomads legal team, led by former Attorney General Kalekeni Kaphale, and also comprising private practice lawyer David Kanyenda and the club’s legal adviser Chancy Gondwe, appeared before the committee on Saturday in Blantyre.

Said Kaphale in an interview yesterday: “It was very intimidating. Actually, it was more like we heard the committee than the committee hearing us.

“We await to file formal arguments by lunch hour Wednesday [tomorrow].”

But FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda said: “We cannot comment on a case that is in progress. It is a case that is ongoing.”

Initially, the committee awarded the match to the Central Bankers by a 2-0 margin after finding the Nomads guilty of causing the abandonment by refusing to continue playing.

Wanderers were also fined K24.5 million for, among other things, causing the abandonment, bringing the game into disrepute and damaging the seats at the match venue,  Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe

However, following an appeal filed by Wanderers, FAM disciplinary committee set aside all decisions made by the competitions committee and ordered that the case should restart.

In its determination, the disciplinary committee faulted the competitions committee for not following the set procedures when it came up with its determination.

Part of the ruling reads: “In this regard, Article 94 of the Disciplinary Code of FAM is very clear. The parties shall be heard before any decision is passed. It is clearly the case that no disciplinary measure which adversely impacts another, can be meted out against any person before that person is heard.”

Meanwhile, three semi-finalists of the tournament have been identified and are awaiting the outcome of the Wanderers and Silver fxture.