Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have swallowed their pride and pleaded for a lenient punishment for the incidents that happened during the 2024 FDH Bank Cup round-of-16 match against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium on July 28.
This comes after the Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Competitions Committee opened disciplinary proceedings against Wanderers after they were charged with two counts of violence and hooliganism.
During the match, some fans pelted the field of play with objects and forced the match to stop for seven minutes in the second half.
In a response to the two charges, Wanderers Chief Executive Officer Panganeni Ndovi has, in a letter, apologised to Fam, FDH Bank and the entire football fraternity for the incidents.
“We offer our unreserved apologies to the FA, sponsors FDH Bank, our opponents on the day Bullets FC and the entire football fraternity for the pockets of violence and hooliganism complained of.
“In the light of the foregoing representations as well as club’s demonstration of genuine contrition and remorse as well as saving time and expense attendant upon a full disciplinary hearing, we plead for your leniency and clemency when considering our fate. In future, we undertake to impose stricter and robust crowd control measures in order to avoid a recurrence of the ugly incidents of hooliganism,’’ Ndovi said.
Wanderers were given 48 hours to respond to the charges.
Fam Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka said following Wanderers response, the committee would make a decision on the matter.
“The committee will meet soon and come up with a determination,” Zakazaka said.
The Nomads lost the match 2-1 to Bullets courtesy of Babatunde Adepoju’s brace whereas Samar Tanjong netted for Wanderers.
In a related development, Fam has banned Karonga United from using Karonga Stadium for three elite competition home matches with immediate effect.
On top of that, Karonga have been fined K1 million for being found guilty on two counts of misconduct following incidents that happened during the 2024 FDH Bank Cup round-of-32 match against Mzuzu City Hammers on July 7.
However, Karonga General Secretary Ramsey Simwaka was not readily available for his comment Sunday.
Karonga will face Blue Eagles in the semi-final of the FDH Bank Cup at Civo Stadium this Saturday. In another semi-final, Bullets will meet Moyale Barracks at Bingu National Stadium on Wednesday, August 21.
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