By SANDRA MWILA –

THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Disciplinary Committee has slapped five officials with two month suspensions.
Meanwhile, Lumwana Radiants relegation battle got a huge boost after the disciplinary committee awarded them three points and a 3-0 win over Napsa Stars, who have been fined K5, 000 fine with head coach Tenant Chilumba charged K2,000.
Damiano Mutale, proprietor of Damiano Academy of Mufulira along with Central Province coordinator Maximillian Chanda, Kelvin Chipili of Zanama Brave Rangers, Albert Mwansa of Ipusikilo and Grace Gondwe of Mansa have been slapped with the suspension for attacking the Andrew Kamanga led executive committee.
The five football administrators appeared before the disciplinary committee chaired by Gerald Mweene at Football House in Lusaka and their suspensions are effective yesterday, July 2 and will end on September 2.
A charge letter showed that the five attacked the executive committee through the press which is against the FAZ constitution as per Article 7.10 of FAZ disciplinary code.
“Registered officials and players are prohibited from attacking fellow club officials and members of FAZ through media of press, Radio and or television.
“Therefore, adequate channels of communication open to clubs officials and players to express their grievances.
Disregard for this rule will result in offending parties being brought before the disciplinary for action,” read part of the letter.
While others are said to have accepted the verdict, Chanda said he was yet to make a decision on whether he would appeal against the ruling.
“We have been suspended for two months, in my view the verdict is fair because we expected to be banned for life.
The others have accepted the verdict but in my case I will make a decision on Monday on whether to appeal,” Chanda said. In another case, Radiants relegation battle got a huge boost after the disciplinary committee awarded them three points and a 3-0 win over Napsa Stars following the abandoned MTN-FAZ Super League Week 17 match played at Lumwana Ground on June 26.
Facts were that Napsa players and officials walked off the field of play in protest after claiming referee Chilufya Mwangelwa had denied them a genuine goal with scores tied at 1-all.
Napsa alleged that Mwangelwa was biased in his officiating as he denied them a legitimate goal which he instead ruled for offside in the first half.
Lumwana have now jumped out of the relegation zone to be on 18 points in 13th position and just a point above Napsa.