The Football Association of Malawi suspended referee Michael Mwambyale for three months after he failed to penalize violent conduct during a TNM Super League match. Video footage showed Ekhaya goalkeeper Elias Missi grabbing FCB Nyasa Big Bullets striker Babatunde Adepoju by the neck and kicking him following an aerial collision. Mwambyale overlooked the blatant infraction and issued no cards despite clear evidence of misconduct. The referee committee demoted him to lower-division matches for the remainder of the season. Second assistant referee Fanuel Mailosi received a two-month ban for the same game.
Mwambyale previously faced a six-month suspension in June 2023 alongside referees Marko Dzimbasekwa and Alfred Chilinda for multiple officiating failures. His earlier penalties stemmed from a Mighty WakaWaka Tigers versus Mighty Mukuru Wanderers match, where he denied a legitimate goal and failed to dismiss Christopher Kumwembe after he had received two yellow cards. The association determined that such errors damaged league integrity and influenced match outcomes. Officials emphasized their determination to enforce proper standards among referees. National Referees Association General Secretary Chris Kalichero acknowledged that while mistakes happen, repeated failures require disciplinary action to encourage improvement and accountability.
Mwambyale previously faced a six-month suspension in June 2023 alongside referees Marko Dzimbasekwa and Alfred Chilinda for multiple officiating failures. His earlier penalties stemmed from a Mighty WakaWaka Tigers versus Mighty Mukuru Wanderers match, where he denied a legitimate goal and failed to dismiss Christopher Kumwembe after he had received two yellow cards. The association determined that such errors damaged league integrity and influenced match outcomes. Officials emphasized their determination to enforce proper standards among referees. National Referees Association General Secretary Chris Kalichero acknowledged that while mistakes happen, repeated failures require disciplinary action to encourage improvement and accountability.
