Zanaco have been handed a win over Forest Rangers after their July 18 game at Levy Mwanawasa Sadium in Ndola was called off at the last minute by the hosts.
Forest pulled out of their July 18 home fixture on the morning of the match date citing a reportedly 28 Covid-19 cases in their camp.
This is after Zanaco had travelled as scheduled for the match on July 17 only to be informed at the eleventh hour of the news.
“The Disciplinary Committee have considered all the written evidence adduced by both parties before it, was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that your claim (Zanaco) for three points for this match had merit and therefore in accordance with Article 109 and 77 of the Disciplinary Code ruled as follows; your club be awarded three points with a 3-0 score line,” The FAZ Disciplinary Committee stated in its report.
Zanaco are now sixth from seventh on 42 points on the FAZ Super Division table, four points behind leaders Nkana and second placed Forest who are tied on 46 points from 25 matches played with nine left before the 2019/2020 season is concluded.
Forest have been given 14 dates in which to file their appeal against the verdict.
But the FAZ Disciplinary Committee threw out Zanaco’s case against Nkana in a match they lost 3-0 away in Kitwe on July 22.
Zanaco were forced to withdraw five players from the team after Covid-19 tests arrived just minutes before kickoff.
“FAZ has however thrown the Zanaco case over their 3-0 loss to Nkana Football Club where the bankers claimed that the match was played under protest. The Disciplinary Committee ruled that neither the Referees’ nor Match Commissioner’s report recorded any incidences warranting disciplinary action. All parties have been notified of their right to appeal within 14 days,” FAZ spokesperson Sydney Mungala said.
No! Football is won and lost on the field not in DCs Forest didn’t create covid. The game should be replayed. Rangers take this case to fifa
FAZ must b serious, how can a team with more than 10 players tested COVID 19 positive expected to play a game much as we know a team should have more 25 players registered. FAZ must be serious in protecting players other wise, COVID 19 will ravage these footballers, families and the public at large. Forest Rangers should not be punished by losing three points and conceding 3 goals.
There’s no doubt that Fole Malembe has been denied justice, FAZ must stop these tilted decisions. The best they could have done is to reschedule the match and help Zanaco meet the costs from the COVID-19 fund. They’re killing the game