Silver, BB take Sulom to task

Silver Strikers and Nyasa Big Bullets on Saturday took to task Super League of Malawi (Sulom) during a disciplinary hearing that ended abruptly in Lilongwe.

The disciplinary cases involved TNM Super League games between the two clubs which took place in May 2021 at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe and July 30 2021 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

On the other hand, Silver were charged with failing to control their supporters and bringing the game into disrepute while Bullets were accused of failure to provide adequate security as a home team, failure to control actions of their  supporters who allegedely beat up and poured urine and pork fat on Silver players and officials as well as bringing the game  into disrepute.

The two clubs, among other issues, faulted Sulom for failing to bring evidence on the charges levelled against them and for not handling complaints in line with rules and regulations.

After the clubs’ submissions and concerns,  the Sulom disciplinary committee, chaired by George Mussa  called off the meeting, saying the issues raised would be referred  back to Sulom.

In an interview on Saturday, Silver company secretary Peter Masiye said: “They levelled charges against us without producing any evidence.

“We also argued why it had taken Sulom over a year to call for this disciplinary hearing. Where were they all this time? They are sleeping on the job and they need to put their house in order.”

He accused Sulom of using the Central Bankers as their cash cow.

“Sulom’s  incompetence and glaring shortcomings were exposed during the meeting to the effect that their own disciplinary committee agreed with both clubs,” said Masiye.

He said their concern is the negative picture being portrayed about their club which has the potential to affect their sponsorship.

During the meeting, the Central Bankers’ lawyer and director Chrispine Gwalawala Sibande said there was no complaint from Bullets on that particular day. 

He also said Sulom executive violated Article 26 (2) of its own constitution which states that Sulom should bring all information, including evidence, when an incident happens.

Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga said in an interview that separate submissions from both clubs faulted Sulom for not handling the complaints in line with rules and regulations.

He said: “We felt the hearing was not legally constituted and in view of this, the disciplinary  discontinued the meeting and will report the matter to Sulom. As for the clubs, there is some truce on the matter.”

On his part, the People’s Team chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda labelled Sulom executive committee as unprofessional and incompetent.

But Sulom general secretary Williams Banda said in an interview on Saturday that the hearing was duly constituted and it delayed due to lack of reports.

He said: “[Indeed],  Sulom needs to put its house in order as reports are taking longer thereby delaying effecting of disputes. We, therefore urge our representatives at matches to ensure that reports are timely submitted to secretariat.

“We also need to carry out clinics with club officials on rules and regulations due to gaps noted.”

Mussa could not be reached for comment, but a source who attended the meeting said he was not amused  with the conduct  of Sulom.

“He agreed and upheld the submissions of both teams. He said even the disciplinary committee had no documents about the issues Sulom referred to them.

“Nevertheless, he  asked both teams to continue the path of peace initiated by supporters.”

Apart from Mussa, the Sulom  disciplinary committee was also represented  by Shadreck Mhango and Khumbi Dossi as members.