Nomads appeal against verdict
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers’ have appealed to FAM disciplinary committee against determination by the association’s competitions committee on their abandoned Airtel Top 8 quarter-final first leg against Silver Strikers on September 23 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The Nomads have engaged lawyers Kalekeni Kaphale and David Kanyenda.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) general secretary Alfred Gunda confirmed yesterday the Nomads’ appeal
The match was abandoned in the second minute of added time when referee Godfrey Nkhakananga blew his whistle for a foul against Wanderers, but did not stop play, leading to Silver’s second goal.
FAM competitions committee found the Nomads guilty of causing the abandonment and awarded the match to the Central Bankers by a 2-0 margin.
Wanderers were also fined about K24.5 million, including costs of repairing seats that were allegedly damaged by their supporters.
In the appeal, dated September 30 2023, signed by their board secretary and legal adviser Chancy Gondwe, the Nomads argue that the competitions committee erred in determining that Wanderers players caused the abandonment of the match.
It reads in part: “The obvious officiating error by the referee, Mr. Godfrey Nkhakananga, caused the abandonment of the match.
“FAM erred by failing to take into account the provision of Article 16 (1) of the Fifa disciplinary code by imposing a severe and disproportionate penalty of forfeiture of the match by a margin of two goals to nil.”
The Nomads further argue that the FAM competitions body erred in failing to order a replay or maintain the result of 1-1 before the controversial goal.
On the violence that occurred, Wanderers say the committee erred in determining that their supporters were violent “or that they pelted objects on the field of play and damaged seats.
The Nomads also claim that according to Fifa disciplinary code, the home team is responsible for security.
Wanderers further submit that the committee erred by declaring that the club shall be liable to pay K22 083 400 for the damaged seats without being heard.
“[The committee] erred by failing to apportion the alleged costs of repair and restoration to the host club [Silver], the referee and the competitions committee [itself].”
The Nomads want FAM disciplinary body to set aside or reverse the FAM competitions committee determinations.
They also want their match to be replayed or that a one-all draw determination should be made.
