By Golden Chewe
Football administrator Ricky Mamfunda has opposed the decision by FAZ to suspend Forest Rangers goalkeeper coach Charles Chileshe for alleged unsporting conduct.
Chileshe was caught on camera pouring unknown liquid in the goal-post and later appeared to be urinating on the pitch minutes before Forest’s match against Prison Leopards played at President Stadium in Kabwe on Saturday.
Forest lost the match to Prison by 2-0 as the Kabwe side reclaimed top spot in the FAZ Super Division.
FAZ said it had suspended Chileshe and that his case will be heard by the association’s judicial body.
But Mamfunda, the former Power Dynamos secretary, said FAZ should have given Chileshe a chance to be heard before suspending him.
“You can’t suspend someone without being given the right to be heard. The DC (Disciplinary Committee) should have taken the video that has gone viral and it should have formed part of their evidence against the coach,” he said.
Mamfunda added:”I am in no way supporting the alleged misconduct but it is always important to follow procedure when acting on administrative matters.”
But retired goalkeeper and now football analyst Kuffa Chipeta supported the stance taken by FAZ to suspend Chileshe prior to the pending hearing.
“I feel the procedure is right. Administratively someone should be suspended to pave away for investigations and accord the accused a chance to be heard before passing the verdict,” said Chipeta.
Meanwhile, Forest management say they have disciplined Chileshe while ordering the technical bench to explain what transpired in Kabwe.
