Just back from a six-month suspension, referee Michael Mwambyale is once again at the centre of controversy as Malawian football fans flood social media questioning his decision not to issue any card after a tense clash between Ekhaya FC goalkeeper Elias Missi and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets striker Babatunde Adepoju during Wednesday’s TNM Super League match at Kamuzu Stadium.
The incident, saw Missi grabbing Babatunde by neck after a mid-air collision. As Babatunde attempted to push the hand away, the Ekhaya goalkeeper charged at him aggressively, sparking a furious reaction from players on both sides.
Despite the intensity of the moment, referee Mwambyale chose not to flash either a yellow or red card, a decision that has since sparked outrage among fans and pundits alike.
“He [Missi] was clearly out of control, and Babatunde was just defending himself. It’s shocking that the referee did nothing. Such behaviour should never be tolerated,” commented one fan Kondwani Banda on a video circulating on social media.
Malawian football legend Esau Kanyenda also weighed in on the matter, posting on Facebook: “According to the centre referee Michael Mwambyale who officiated yesterday’s TNM Super League match between Ekhaya FC and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium, he thought there was no need to flash a yellow or red card.”
Many are calling on Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and the Super League of Malawi (SULOM) to take disciplinary action against both the goalkeeper and the referee, arguing that the integrity of the game must be upheld.
“This wasn’t just a refereeing error, it sends the wrong message. We cannot normalise violence on the pitch,” another supporter commented on Facebook.
Despite the drama, Bullets came out victorious with a well-placed header by Babatunde in the 56th minute, that sealed the 1:0 victory.
Mwambyale was lastseason suspended for six months following his controversial decision to disallow a Mighty Tigers goal against Mighty Wanderers and his failure to eject striker Christopher Kumwembe, who had received two yellow cards.
