NKANA chief executive officer Kelvin Mutafu says the FAZ Disciplinary Committee sanctions on the club for violent conduct during a league match against Nchanga Rangers is too harsh.

FAZ on Wednesday ruled that Nkana was guilty in their conduct after midfielder Diamond Chikwekwe and goalkeeping coach Mike Poto physically confronted referee Audrick Nkole at the end of the match.

The two were protesting against Nchanga Rangers’ equalizing goal that came after added time had elapsed, and Nkole had allowed play to continue.

Team captain Chikwekwe was handed a four-match ban while Poto who punched Nkole in the stomach was given a six month ban and the club fined K100,000 for misconduct.

But speaking in an interview, Wednesday, Mutafu said the club will appeal the punishment as it was too harsh.

Despite admitting the misconduct, Mutafu felt the punishment should be reduced and said his club had also raised some issues against Nchanga Rangers who were part of the fracas in Chingola.

“Our first reaction of course is that we will appeal then we will see how it goes. We feel it is a harsh decision, so we just have to appeal. The game of football has got its own rules so I think we will follow the procedure in airing our grievances with the relevant channels. Our appeal will also contain concerns regarding the Rangers’ fans’ behaviour which could have ignited the emotions,” said Mutafu.

FAZ general secretary Adrian Kashala indicated that the association was yet to receive a verdict from the Disciplinary Committee regarding Rangers’ failure to provide enough security.

Referee Nkole needed police escort off the pitch as Nkana players, officials and fans attempted to lynch him after Nchanga Rangers equalised in added time in the highly charged match that saw the visitors’ team bus later stoned by fans after the match.

Midfielder Patrick Gondwe had to be rushed to hospital after some pieces of the smashed car glass logged into his eyes.

Mutafu further appealed to Nkana fans and players to always refrain from violent behaviour whenever they were aggrieved.

He said the current Nkana had reformed from the past behaviours and the club would not relent to ensure the vice was gotten rid of completely.

“You have observed, Nkana is reformed a lot. It’s only that people still think of the past, but we are not relenting. We have continued to educate them that where there are emotions, they should control them. Football is a game of emotions, and we need to handle the emotions properly,” said Mutafu.