VERDICT ON RED LIONS FC MISCONDUCT AFTER ITS GAME AGAINST SURESTREAM FC ON 10th MAY 2015 AT KAMUZU STADIUM
At the disciplinary committee meetings held on 13th May 2015 on the misconducts that occurred after the match between Red Lions FC and Surestream FC on 10th May 2015 at Kamuzu Stadium the Disciplinary Committee found that Red Lions FC was in breach of conduct, rules and regulations of SULOM as stipulated in articles of the Super League of Malawi constitution and FIFA disciplinary code on the following charges:
1. Red Lions F.C failed to control the actions of its players, officials and supporters who assaulted the officiating personnel and the general public as stipulated in Article 21.3 Rules and Regulations of the TNM Super League.
2. Its players behaved in a manner which brought SULOM and its sponsor TNM in disrepute as stipulated in Article 13.1.6 of the SULOM constitution.
3. The fracas made by its players’ breached peace of the general public thereby contravening Article 13.2.2 of SULOM Constitution as read with Article 21.19 of SULOM rules and regulations
The Disciplinary Committee found that following Red Lions FC players were in breach of the Rules and Regulations of SULOM (Article 21.6) and the FIFA Disciplinary Code (Article 49.1.b) by assaulting the match officials in particular the referee Boniface Chapinga soon after the final whistle of the game:
1. Jersey number 2 Dickson Mbetewa Jnr
2. Jersey number 10 Lot Chawinga
3. Jersey number 14 Boniface Kaulesi
4. Jersey number 3 William Chiumya
5. Jersey number 22 Mathews Simbeye
6. Jersey number 6 George Haule
7. Jersey number 16 Thomas Makaombwa
8. Jersey number 11 Sunganani Msiska
Red Lions Team Doctor Gibson Langwe was also found in breach of the Rules and Regulations of SULOM (Article 21.6) and the FIFA Disciplinary Code (Article 49.1.b).
In response Red Lions accepted the charges with reservations on 6 players (Boniface Kaulesi, William Chiumya, Mathews Simbeye, George Haule, Thomas Makaombwa and Sunganani Msiska) claiming that these six did not assault the referee.
However the overwhelming evidence that the committee received from different sources indicated that these six players did assault the referee with the other two players (Dickson Mbetewa Jnr and Lot Chawinga) being in the forefront of the assault.
Red Lions was also remorseful and apologetic for the uncalled for behaviour of its players, officials and supporters, and it has also taken disciplinary action on the players involved in the assault including measures to avoid a repeat of the ugly incidents.
After considering the gravy of the matter and the response from Red Lions, the Disciplinary Committee has decided as follows:
1. Red Lions is fined a total sum of K450,000 (Four hundred and fifty thousand Kwacha) for failing to control the actions of its players, officials and supporters who assaulted the officiating personnel and the general public as stipulated in Article 21.3 Rules and Regulations of the TNM Super League.
2. The club is given a serious warning for any improper conduct. If in the next two years it is involved in any misconduct of the same nature it risk being banned indefinitely
The Disciplinary Committee further decides that:
1. Dickson Mbetewa Jnr and Lot Chawinga have been banned from playing football under the auspice of SULOM for 12 months effective from the date of this letter for assaulting the Referee Boniface Chapinga as stipulated in the FIFA Disciplinary code (Article 49.1.b). The two players are further fined K350,000 (Three Hundred Fifty thousand Kwacha) each as stipulated in the Rules and Regulations of SULOM (Article 21.6).
2. Boniface Kaulesi, William Chiumya, Mathews Simbeye, George Haule, Thomas Makaombwa and Sunganani Msiska have been banned from playing football under the auspice of SULOM for 6 months effective from the date of this letter for assaulting the Referee Boniface Chapinga as stipulated in the FIFA Disciplinary code (Article 49.1.b). The six players are further fined K350,000 (Three Hundred Fifty thousand Kwacha) each as stipulated in the Rules and Regulations of SULOM (Article 21.6).
3. Team Doctor Gibson Langwe has been banned from the touchline and dressing room on any game under the auspice of SULOM for 12 months effective from the date of this letter for assaulting the Referee Boniface Chapinga as stipulated in the FIFA Disciplinary code (Article 49.1.b) and further fined K350,000 (Three Hundred Fifty thousand Kwacha) each as stipulated in the Rules and Regulations of SULOM (Article 21.6).
All the fines totalling to K3,600,000 (Three Million Six Hundred Thousand Kwacha) are payable by Red Lions FC before its next fixture which is on 17th May 2015 and failure shall lead to forfeiture of points until the sums are paid or guarantees and sureties are deposited with SULOM. All other sanctions are with immediate effect.
SULOM would like to remind clubs, officials, players and spectators that we all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game by ensuring that the laws of the game are adhered to, always respect the match official’s decisions, promote fair play and never engage in offensive, insulting, assaulting match officials, opponents and opposing supporters.
Any aggrieved party is free to appeal in accordance with existing rules and regulations of SULOM within 48 hours from the date of this letter.