Dedza loses playoffs case : Court vindicates Super League of Malawi

Dedza Young Soccer have lost the playoffs case after the court vindicated Super League of Malawi (Sulom) for involving the team in the playoffs alongside other relegated teams FISD Wizards and Airborne Rangers.

The Sulom Appeals Tribunal ruling made on April 5 in Lilongwe consented Sulom to allow Dedza Young Soccer to participate in the playoffs and that the result of the game between Wizards FC and Airborne should stand.

Wizards beat Airborne 1-0 in the first game before Dedza rushed to seek an injuction restraining Sulom from holding playoffs arguing that they deserve to take up the 16th position automatically.

“Super League correctly made the decision herein. A thorough review of the SULOM Constitution and the Rules and Regulations confirms that the power to deal with issues of promotion and relegation vests in the SULOM Executive. There is no basis for going outside the provisions of the SULOM Constitution and applicable Rules and Regulations,” readsthe ruling by Sulom Tribunal chaired by Davis Sado which had  a panel comprising onf lawyers  Chrispin Sibande and Trouble Kalua.

“SULOM must reschedule the remaining play off matches herein as soon as is reasonably possible and must allow [Dedza] to participate in the said play offs in order to determine the 16th team.”

But the  ruling stated that SULOM would foot the costs of the two teams that already travelled to the venue of the play offs for the first game for participating in the rescheduled games.

The ruling also gave a chance to any party aggrieved to be accorded a right to appeal to FAM on payment of appropriate fees and within the stipulated time frames before the play offs are scheduled.