Nomads take hard-line on fans, players

As part of instilling discipline at Lali Lubani Road, Mighty Wanderers FC have said they are planning to bar supporters from meddling with the management of the team.

In a statement issued by the club’s general secretary David Kanyenda, the Nomads also state players will not be allowed to speak to the media on issues related to the club without the consent of the executive committee.

The Nomads GS who also doubles as legal adviser said they expect not only their players but also officials and supporters as well to conduct themselves with the highest degree of dignity, decorum and moral conduct commensurate with the club’s stature.

The development comes barely weeks after the Nomads executive turned down the supporters main committee decision to appoint a new executive committee

“Conduct injurious to the repute of the Club is unacceptable. In order to instill discipline Article XV (3) establishes a disciplinary committee which enjoys oversight of allegations of misconduct or other inappropriate behaviour on the part of players, supporters and officials of the club.

“We shall actively encourage our members to refrain from any conduct that may tarnish its name or the sponsors name,” stated Kanyenda.

The club also states that players lack mandate to speak to the media on behalf of the club and therefore warned that breach of this rule will result in imposition of disciplinary sanctions on the offending party including expulsion stressing that players shall be reminded of their primary footballing duties.

“In the long term, WFC intends to recruit and or appoint a Public Relations Officer who shall be a qualified media practitioner entrusted with the duty of communicating with the press and electronic media.”

He added: “In terms of Article VIII (8) on the club’s constitution, the executive committee is responsible for the day to day activities of the team to the exclusion of any other body including the supporters main committee.

“For the sake of clarity and or avoidance of doubt, WFC is prepared to effect an express constitutional amendment that categorically precludes supporters from running or meddling with the management of the club but limits their primary role to cheering the club and participation in promotional activities for a sponsor’s products and the club,” Kanyenda said.

Reacting to the development, Malunga said: “If the rules are for the betterment of the team then let it be, but if things go wrong, we’ll not hesitate to speak out on behalf of the fans.

“However, that will be done using the proper channel because we appreciate the efforts being put in place to professionalise the operations of the team.”