Chintheche United FC gets a 2 year ban

The Northern Region Football Association – NRFA has banned SIMSO-Innobuild League outfit, Chintheche United Football Club from taking part in all sporting activities organized by body for a period of two years.

According to the association’s general secretary Masiya Nyasulu, the development comes following the club’s repeated involvement in unsporting behaviors during their matches.

He said: “Considering that Chintheche has been involved in various unsporting behaviors for quite so long, we felt like they should go so that they can learn that football is not about violence.”

Chintheche United has a history of questionable football behaviors that include assaulting match officials as well as supporters of opposing teams especially when playing at their home ground.

Two years ago, the team was involved in the beating of a referee and just two weeks ago, they assaulted Kadona Stars Football Club supporters during their league game at Chiwaza Ground.

Additionally, the team was involved in the assault of an NRFA official who is the chairperson for Nkhata Bay District Football Association during their game against NkhataBay Select Football Club played last weekend.

The ban means, Chintheche United will not play their remaining three games in Cluster C where they were on position two.

However, the ban works in favor of Kadona Stars which will now occupy position two with eleven points ahead of their remaining three assignments before concluding the fixture.

Asked if this will have any effect regarding the conclusion of remaining games in the Cluster, the NRFA general secretary downplayed the fears.

“Their suspension will not affect the league. We are just two or three games from completing the cluster stage, so basically they have played 80 to 85 percent of their games and this means their group is not going to be affected,” Nyasulu said.

Meanwhile, Chintheche United technical director Bright Banda has described as unfair the manner in which the association has handled their issue.

“We feel like it is not fair because we expected to be called so they can hear our side before passing the judgment as per the rule of natural justice. We have written a letter to NRFA appealing the judgment and we are expecting them to call us to hear our side.” He said.

If NRFA will not overturn its verdict, Chintheche United will go through a reform period and will be back to participate in sporting activities organized by NRFA in 2025 but the Association will assess their behavior before welcoming them back.