Clubs speak on K15m Sulom fines
TNM Super League clubs have cried foul over collective K15 million fines meted out for contravention of the league’s rules and regulations.
The clubs feel the punishments are too harsh, inconsistent and not in line with rules of natural justice.
The teams voiced out the concerns during Super League of Malawi (Sulom) annual general meeting (AGM) held yesterday at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi.
Mafco representative David Gulaimfa said Sulom should be consistent in its punishments.
“Same incident you find that one club is punished differently which raises questions on how the disciplinary committee comes up with the punishments, more especially the fines,” he said.
On his part, Red Lions delegate Victor Moyo questioned how the Sulom disciplinary committee comes up with the fines.
He said: “Sulom should know that the more they punish clubs, for FAM’s audited financial report so that they understand their financial operations.
“They want to appreciate how FAM runs its finances. To that effect, I took up the matter directly with the FAM president [Walter Nyamilandu] since it is a matter of urgency.
“But I am not sure whether they [FAM] have done the needful.”
On his part, Nyamilandu said copies of the financial reports were already sent to both ministers.
“They were hand-delivered by [FAM licensing and compliance manager] Casper Jangale,” he said.
Treasury spokesperson Williams Banda said in an interview that the issue is being looked into.
The Flames’ Afcon finals budget is pegged at K1.5 billion, but Nyamilandu last week said there is no firm position yet as regards funding with four months left before the tournament starts.
“We are banking on the initiative that has been set up by the Flames resource mobilisation task force and special funding from Malawi Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports,” said Nyamilandu.
On his part, the Flames resource mobilisation task force chairperson Jabbar Alide, who is also FAM vice-president and High Court of Malawi judge, said they are optimistic of meeting their target to raise K450 million towards the cause.
He said: “We have four months left, but we are very optimistic that we will achieve our objectives. The planning phase is done. We have lined up several activities, some of which have started.”
Alide said for the team to adequately prepare for the Afcon finals, it needs about K1.493 billion.
He said: “This budget caters for the team’s travel costs, accommodation, air tickets, game appearance fees and bonuses for all the preparatory international friendly and competitive matches the team will play between now and December 2021 and the actual participation at Afcon finals in Cameroon.
“Out of the total budget, K926 million has been identified from government, Fifa and FDH Bank, leaving a deficit of K567 million. Accordingly, under the Kuipatsa Moto Flames campaign, FAM through the task force is joining hands with the public and private sector, and individuals to solicit funds and close the gap.” n
Where does Sulom expect us to get the money when we are also financially struggling?”
Silver representative Thoko Chimbali also pleaded with Sulom disciplinary committee to exercise humanity when dealing with the incidents.
In his response, Sulom president Tiya Somba-Banda said the disciplinary committee is guided by Fifa rules and regulations.
“All fines are guided by the Fifa statutes which are then applied locally,” he said.
On claims that the disciplinary committee meting out different fines for same incidents, Somba-Banda said that does not happen.
He said: “The incidents might appear to be the same, but they are always different. For example, a player might push a referee while another might slap a referee. Though both are misconducts, they are different in the gravity and will attract different punishments.”
As of July, Sulom had meted out fines amounting to K15 million to clubs for various offences such as abandoning matches, violence and unsporting behaviour.
Sulom imposed a K4 million fine on Karonga United for violence and abandoning a match against Silver Strikers, K2 million fine on Red Lions for abandoning a match when they faced Silver.
Sulom also fined Mighty Tigers K1.3 million for causing an abandonment during their match against Moyale Barracks. It also fined Mafco K1.5 million for unsporting behaviour during their match against Blue Eagles and meted out a K1 million fine to Bullets for unsporting behaviour during their match against TN Stars.
The top-flight league-runners also fined Silver K1 million for unsporting behaviour during their game against Nyasa Big Bullets game, K2.1 million to Mighty Wanderers for violence during their game against Bullets and K500 000 to Blue Eagles for unsporting behavior in their match against Ekwendeni Hammers.
The meeting also elected Dennis Mwale as the new vice-general secretary, replacing Zachariah Nyirenda, who was expelled on disciplinary grounds.
mobilisation drives such as corporate golf tournament, VVIP dinner, corporate social football tournament, crowd-funding and betting.
He also said IntoSports is taking part in the golf tournament by sponsoring one of the teams. “I would, therefore, like to urge other companies, organisations and individuals to emulate IntoSports’ gesture and help our national team,” said Alide.
