Max Bullets fined K1m for causing match abandonment; Referee Ngoleka risk being sanctioned
Relegation-bound MTV Max Bullets on October 8 adamantly refused to continue with play over discontent of the referee’s decision during their TNM Super League march against their hosts Epac at Civo Stadium.
They have since been heavily punished — they lost the game 0-3 which at the time of abandonment was at 1-1 and the team is expected to pay a fine of MK700,000, which must be paid before their next fixture (which according to Super League of Malawi list is against Red Lions at MDC Stadium on Sunday October 23).
On top of of that, the team’s coach Trevor Kajawa and the club’s owner Max Kapanda have each been fined MK150,000 for misconduct.
According to he verdict issied on Friday October 21, Kajawa ascended the VIP section of Civo stadium to verbally confront the match assessor over the referee Patrick Ngoleka’s decision while Kapanda is guilty of influencing his players not to continue play.
“As such both officials are found guilty of misconduct as per Article 21 of Sulom Rules and Regulations,” the verdict said.
According to findings, MTV Max Bullets took the
lead through Abraham Kamwendo after 10 minutes of the game but in the 20th minute Epac’s Ranken Mwale was fouled as he bore down the goal.
“The Referee blew for a foul. In the same movement and before any free kick was taken, another Epac player, Chiletso Zoya, kicked the ball into the net. The Referee awarded a goal.
“There then mayhem ensued. MTV Max Bullets protested the award of the goal. The Referee stood his ground. MTV Max Bullets were not prepared to carry on with play for as long as the goal stood. The match was thus abandoned.”
The verdict says it is clear herein that Max Bullets refused to continue following the goal that had been awarded to Epac and they clearly caused the abandonment of the match.
“Considering all the circumstances of this matter, MTV Max Bullets hereby forfeits the said match, losing by margin of 3-0 as stipulated under Article 18:1, of the SULOM Rules and Regulations.”
The club was further censured that officials must at all times adhere to the laid down procedures for lodging protests in an orderly and disciplined matter and always avoid subjecting the game into disrepute.
“From the evidence on record the Referee played advantage in allowing the goal to stand. His decision is final and cannot be overturned.
“However, it is found as a fact that in the particular incident herein the Referee blew his whistle. There is no evidence whether he shouted play on! or advantage! and gave the sign by the waving of arms as stipulated by the Laws of the Game.
“This appears to be a misapplication of the Laws of the Game. The Referees’ conduct will therefore be
referred to the National Referees Committee for their determination on the conduct of the referee and where possible apply the necessary sanctions,” the verdict said.
Ma referee a supa ligi akulemphere ntchito If he blew for a foul it means the game was stopped and all players were concentrating on the set piece. Since I started watching supa ligi I have never seen a referee waving advantage or play on in the attacking third. The referee failed. Sorry to MTV