Court blast Super League of Malawi: Ordered to hear Dedza grievances

The High Court in Lilongwe  has faulted lack of seriousness and lack of administrative as well as   professionalism of Super League of Malawi  (Sulom) , saying that is the main cause of stand-off of the flagship league’s play-offs.

Dedza Young Soccer obtained  an injunction at the High Court in Lilongwe in a case where the club is contesting play-offs meant to identify the 16th team to play in the Super League.

On Tuesday Justice Charles  Mkandawire in his ruling ordered Sulom to hear Dedza Young Soccer’s grievances but did not vacate the injunction.

The judge blasted Sulom for what he said  a “ briefcase administration” body which lacks professionalism  “full of conflicting messages” and “half truths.”

He said in his ruling:”Having looked at the documents that have been attached to the affidavits especially some of the letters which originates from the General Secretary of the respondent (Sulom) with conflicting messages, one sees a brief case administration with half truths.”

Justice Mkandawire said it is clear that is Sulom properly handled the appeal lodged by Dedza Young Soccer on 24th March  in a “casual approach” which the matter would not have reached the standoff  it is right now.

“Mr Innocent Bottomani who is the highest office of the body, confirmed that Dedza indeed appealed against the decision to hold a round robin play offs.”

The Judge noted that  Botomoni informed  that Sulom wrote Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and FAM confirmed that the play-off should be the way out but the Sulom president did not even explain whether the appeals committee sat and what decision it had made.

Justice Mkandawire quashed argument by Sulom legal representative, Shadreck Mhango who argued that Dedza Young Soccer didn’t follow the appeals procedures as they never paid appeal fee.

The court has since ordered Sulom that it should hear the appeal lodged by Dedza Young Soccer .

“I find that the best solution in this matter is to allow for the extension of the injunction that I had granted on March 16 2016.  I order that the respondent should hear the appeal lodged by the applicant using competent authority as per the Sulom statute,” said the Judge.

It ordered that that the outcome of the appeal will determine the road map of the case and further reminds Sulom that it should be mindful that soccer lovers are anxiously waiting and the sooner they hold the appeal the better.

Dedza Young Soccer obtained the injunction because Sulom and FAM were unjust by refusing to listen to their case.

Club general secretary Harold Mmora said they followed the normal channel, but they were not given a chance to be heard.

The general secretary said they were left with no choice after FAM also gave them a cold shoulder.

The club argues that it was supposed to be reinstated as the 16th team because it finished on 13th position just a step below the relegation zone.

Sulom general secretary Williams Banda said they would respect the court’s ruling.