Nyasa Big Bullets have issued a stern warning to some of their supporters for unruly behaviour in the goal-less Blantyre derby against Be Forward Wanderers at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.
Irate Bullets supporters pelted objects, including bottles, onto the field of play, forcing the referee to stop the match for 10 minutes.
Bullets Chief Executive Officer, Fleetwood Haiya, said although the supporters were provoked, the club was disappointed with their conduct.
“We condemn violence in strongest terms. We will investigate the matter and if the perpetrators are found, action will be taken against them. We are working together with the authorities to make sure that such an incident should not happen again,” Haiya said.
“But we are also planning to write the authorities that the supporters were provoked by poor officiation when they denied us a clear goal.”
The supporters, in their usual red and white attire, also bayed for the blood of referee Patrick Ngoleka and his assistants Innocent Kaundula and Hendrix Maseko after the game.
Hell broke loose after the Ngoleka-led officiating panel denied Bullets two would-be goals, through Bright Munthali and Chiukepo Msowoya, for offside.
Article 21 of Super League of Malawi’s (Sulom) rules and regulations stipulates that “clubs are responsible for the actions of their supporters, players and officials are required to take all the necessary precautions to prevent assaults on referees, players officials before, during, and after the match at their ground.
“A player, supporter, or official found guilty of physically or verbally assaulting a referee will be fined the sum of K400,000. However, if a player, supporter or an official is causing a situation dangerous to public safety will be fined the sum of K500,000 and be banned indefinitely from watching games organised by Sulom.”
Sulom is yet to release a statement on the matter.
Sports analyst, Anthony Msukwa, condemned the behaviour of Bullets fans.
“It is very unfortunate that they overreacted. Football has its rules and regulations, so they must be followed all time,” he said.
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