FAM Fines bullets k4m

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has fined FCB Nyasa Bullets K4 million and banned seven of the club’s supporters for two years following acts of violence during a Castel Challenge Cup semi-final against Mzuzu City Hammers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on February 8. Bullets supporters chairperson Chingeni Agumbala Kadammanja, Shaibu Woyera, Trouble Ndikida Kapito, Alick Tsegula, Gani Baba, Dyton Bello and Fred Sherrif have been banned from entering any stadium hosting association football in Malawi for two years. They also cannot take part in football-related activities during the ban.

In a verdict dated February 19 signed by FAM general secretary Abdul Chiwalo, FAM said it found Bullets guilty on three counts of misconduct stemming from crowd trouble before and during the match. On this count of violence and hooliganism, Bullets were fined K1 million. The club was slapped with a further K1 million fine after supporters confronted and manhandled match officials at half-time and an additional K2 million fine for the club’s failure to control supporters.

According to the findings, Bullets supporters obstructed the dressing room access during the arrival of the visiting team and again at half-time, using threatening behaviour and abusive language. During the match, Sherrif at half-time accessed the competition area and poured liquid substances on Hammers goalkeeper Innocent Kamwambi and the northern goalposts. The verdict reads: “Mr Sherrif invaded the competition area and poured some liquid substances on Mzuzu City Hammers goalkeeper Innocent Kamwambi contrary to articles 23.3 Castel Challenge Cup Rules and Regulations as read together with 17.2 (a) of the Fifa Disciplinary Code.

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“At half time of the said match, Mr Sherrif invaded the competition area and poured some liquid substances on the northern side goalposts contrary to articles 23.3 and 23.9 d of the Castel Challenge Cup Rules and Regulations as read together with 17.2 (a) of the Fifa Disciplinary Code.” The other supporters were found to have obstructed security operations by rescuing a pitch invader from stewards at half-time. FAM operations director Gomezgani Zakazaka in an interview yesterday confirmed the verdict. He said: “The club and the individuals have been informed of the verdict which is effective February 19. The fines are to be paid before the next match.” This means Bullets have to pay the fine before they face Goshen City Dedza Dynamos in the final tomorrow at Bingu National stadium.

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