Fined K1.2 million or face a ban
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Competitions Committee has fined Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Football Club Legal Advisor and Company Secretary Chancy Gondwe K1.2 million or face a ban for misconduct.
On 29th September 2023, the committee, charged Gondwe for misconduct in respect of his conduct in the media in reaction to the Committee’s determination on Airtel Top 8 quart final match between Silver Strikers FC and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers played on Saturday 23rd September 2023 at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Gondwe was given 48 hours to respond to the charges upon receipt of the notification.
“However, he did not do so within the specified timeframe which expired on Sunday 1st October 2023 at 19:25 hours,” reads part of the verdict.
The Competitions Committee therefore proceeded to make the following
Verdict and Sanctions that Gondwe was found guilty on three counts of misconduct as charged and is sanctioned as follows.
The first charge was for insulting FAM Officials in the Social Media contrary to Article 22.15 of the 2023 Airtel Top Rules and Regulations and Article 13.2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
“The Committee established that during his recorded audio interview with Wa Ganyu, a Malawian Facebook Sports Platform Mr Chancy Gondwe insulted members of the FAM Competitions Committee (FAM Officials) by insinuating that the members were intoxicated when they made the determination on Airtel Top 8 quarterfinal match between Silver Strikers FC and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC played on Saturday 23rd September 2023 at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe,” reads the verdict.
Article 22.15 of the Airtel Top 8 Rules and Regulations provides that where it is established that a club official insulted FAM Officials, a fine of Four hundred Thousand Kwacha (K400 000) or ban as per the discretion of the Committee shall be imposed.
Accordingly, the Committee fines Gondwe the sum of K400 000.00.
The second charge was inciting hatred contrary to Article 53 of the FAM Disciplinary Code and Article 14.4 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
The Committee established that comments by Gondwe as per (1) above incited hatred towards members of the FAM Competitions Committee who have been subjected to insults and hate speech on social media.
Article 53.1 of the FAM Disciplinary Code provides that where it is established that a club official publicly incited hatred a fine of K400 000 shall be imposed.
Accordingly, the Committee hereby fines Mr Chancy Gondwe the sum of Four Hundred Thousand Kwacha K400 000.00.
The third charge is of bringing the name of the sponsor, FAM and the game of football into disrepute contrary to Article 22.17 of the 2023 Airtel Top 8 Rules and Regulations.
Article 22.17 of the Airtel Top 8 Rules and Regulations provides that where it is established that a club official made statements in the media that bring the name of the sponsors, FAM and the game of football into disrepute a fine of K400 000 shall be imposed.
Accordingly, the Committee fines Gondwe the sum of K400 000.00.
Gondwe has also been given a chance to appeal to the FAM Disciplinary Committee within 72 hours of receiving this determination and upon fulfilling the conditions stipulated in Article 14.1 of the Rules and Regulations.
“All monetary fines are payable within seven days from the date of this determination failure in which the Committee shall proceed to impose a ban as per its discretion,” reads the verdict which is signed by FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda.
__Komano awawa inu apwetekana.
