The Blantyre District Youth Football Committee (BDYFC) has awarded Mighty Wanderers Youth a 2-0 victory in their Under 19 League match against Soche Madrid after the game was abandoned at the 8th minute following serious misconduct by the hosts.

The dramatic turn of events unfolded during what should have been a routine league fixture when controversy erupted over a penalty appeal in Soche Madrid’s favor. When the assistant referee declined to award the penalty following an incident in the box during the 8th minute, Soche Madrid Technical Director Isaac Zimba took matters into his own hands in the most shocking way possible.

In an unprecedented act of violence, Zimba stormed onto the pitch and physically assaulted the assistant referee, bringing the match to an immediate halt. The shocking incident left players, officials, and spectators stunned as the game was abandoned with barely eight minutes played.

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Following a disciplinary hearing held at Kamuzu Stadium on Thursday, the committee found Soche Madrid guilty of the charges brought against them. During the proceedings, Zimba reportedly defended his actions, claiming he acted deliberately due to ongoing concerns about officiating standards in the country and that his assault was meant to highlight the seriousness of these issues.

The BDYFC showed no mercy in their response to the incident. Isaac Zimba has been handed a severe 12-month ban from all BDYFC competitions and is further restricted from being within 500 meters of any football ground during this period. Soche Madrid as a club was also hit hard, receiving a hefty MK90,000 fine in line with NYFA Rules, while the match was officially awarded 2-0 to Mighty Wanderers Youth.

The disciplinary action extended beyond the main incident, as the committee also addressed other misconduct from recent matches. Abdul Nota, head coach of Ntopwa FC, received a 4-match ban and faces the same 500-meter restriction from football grounds during his suspension. Additionally, both George Sangala of Mighty Wanderers Youth and Almson Nyapele of Soche Madrid FC were issued formal cautions for unsporting behavior after attempting to engage in a physical confrontation during the same match.

BDYFC Chairman emphasized the committee’s unwavering stance on discipline, stating that violence, intimidation, and unsporting conduct will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to upholding discipline, respect, and the spirit of fair play across all competitions under their jurisdiction.

For Soche Madrid, the 2-0 defeat represents their first loss of the season, though it comes in the most unfortunate circumstances possible. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of allowing emotions to override judgment in competitive sports.