Mozambique challenges $10,000 CAF fine for pitch invasion
The Mozambique Football Federation (FMF) has challenged the $10,000 (R183 736,50} fine which CAF imposed on them for a pitch invasion.
CAF fined FMF after Mozambique’s Mambas fans stormed Zimpeto Stadium in Maputo to celebrate the senior national football team’s qualification to the CHAN finals on September 4 2022.
The Mambas held Malawi to a goalless draw to seal their place at the championship which is limited to home-based players.
The supporters went wild after the final whistle, a development which irked CAF leading to the punishment.
However, FMF General Secretary (GS) Hilario Madeira told FARPost that they felt the punishment by CAF was unfair.
Madeira could not say the grounds of their challenge against the punishment by the continental football body.
FMF TO APPEAL…
“Yes, we will appeal and right now, our lawyers are working on the grounds,” he said.
The FMF GS said they feel that the fans merely celebrated peacefully after the Mambas had sealed CHAN qualification.
“We acknowledged the invasion and it was in the way of celebrating qualification,” Madeira said.
Mozambique drew 0-0 against neighbours Malawi in the second leg of the CHAN final qualifying round matches.
The two teams had the previous week settled for a 1-1 draw at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe where Malawi came from behind to level matters through Yamikani Chester’s strike.
That away goal proved decisive for the Mambas who had reached the final qualifying round after beating fancied Chipolopolo of Zambia also by a 1-0 margin over two legs.
The home leg played in Maputo had ended goalless.
On the other hand, Malawi reached the final qualifying round following the disqualification of te Warriors of Zimbabwe who are serving a FIFA ban.
FIFA banned Zimbabwe and Kenya Football Federation due to their respective government’s alleged interference in football administration affairs.
However, the Kenyan and Zimbabwean governments insist they did not necessarily interference in administrative matters but there were matters that were criminal in nature needing remedy.