Fan regains consciousness as Red Lions charged of misconduct: Malawi Super League

A football fan, 24 year-old Geoffrey Mwale, who fainted on Sunday after being severely beaten by Malawi army soldiers at Kamuzu stadium, regained his conscious on Monday after spending a night on oxygen machine at Queens Elizabeth Central Hospital.

Mwale, son to Police officer Senior  Suprietendent  Mwale-Traffic Department, was among many football fans who were beaten by the angry soldiers following military side Red Lions’ two-all draw against rookies Surestream.

Initially, violence ensued immediately after the final whistle–Red Lions players roughed up the referee Boniface Chipinga, who they accused of favouring the rookies.

The rookies twice came from behind to equalize through penalties. Lions scored first through Kumbukani Mwambene in 5th minute only Benard Chimaimba to equalize after 35 minutes.

Then Lions took the lead again in 48th minute through Innocent Bokosi but the rookies again equalized in added time after Mwambene handled in the box prompting the soldiers to attack the referee Boniface Chipinga soon after the game.

Fans retaliated by fighting with the soldiers, smashing their bus in the process.

More soldiers from the army Camp Site, which is some meters away from the stadium, were seen punching football fans not only around the stadium, but also along the Chipembere Highway-The Polytechnic-Chichiri Shoprite Mall stretch.

Mwale lost conscious following the beating and had to be rushed to the hospital through former Flames captain Peter Mponda’s vehicle.

According to Timothy Madani Somanje, who was among those who took the victim to the hospital, Mwale bumped into the soldiers near Sports Councils offices where many had rushed to sought refuge.

Meanwhile, the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has placed charges on Red Lions following their players’ misconduct after the game.

According to a statement issued by Sulom,  Red Lions FC, players and officials were in breach of conduct, rules and regulations of SULOM as stipulated in article of the Solum Constitution, rules and regulations and also that of 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

In the same game the 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:
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 involved in assaulting the officiating personnel.

Sulom has since given Red Lions 48 hours to respond to thecharges.

“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,” said Sulom Treasurer Tiya Somba Banda in letter copied to TNM Chief Executive Officer and Football Association of Malawi (Fam) General Secretary Suzyo Nyirenda.

But Lions assistant coach Prichard Mwansa cried foul over the officiation.

“I have never seen anything like that. Football will never develop with these dubious decisions. I, however, do not condone the behaviour of my players. This is a disciplinary matter,” Mwansa said.

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