Civo back-door return blocked

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has asked Super League of Malawi (Sulom) to clarify Epac FC name change to Civil Service (Civo) United as the relegated side seeks to return to the Super League via back-door.

FAM club licensing manager Casper Jangale said they first need clarification from Sulom on what the regulations state about such an arrangement.
He disclosed this yesterday when The Nation wanted to find out why Epac is not among the 14 Super League clubs that have secured full and provisional licences to participate in the Super League as per Fifa club licensing requirements.

According to Jangale, there is no documented evidence about the Civo/Epac’s name change.
“We do not want to set a bad precedence whereby big clubs will be buying slots of smaller outfits once relegated,” he said.
“We were surprised that it was Civo United that submitted the club licensing documents in place of Epac and we only got verbal communication about their agreement. Therefore, we need Sulom to advise us on this development based on their regulations.”

Sulom general secretary Williams Banda said they are not aware of the agreement between Civo United and Epac.
He said: “What we know is that Epac FC wrote us a letter saying they have found a sponsor in the name of the Office of the President and Cabinet and, as per the regulations, Epac need to pay a fine if they need to change their name. They [Epac] did not officially explain to us that Civo United would take their place.”
But Civo United general secretary Thomas Makiwa argued that Epac has just rebranded to take the name associated with their sponsors.

“I do not know why people do not understand this. The Civo United you know was relegated from the Super League and Epac found new sponsors that prefer to use the name they are associated with, and that name is Civil Service [Civo] United.

Meanwhile, seven clubs—Kamuzu Barracks , Mzuni FC, Be Forward Wanderers, Big Bullets, Blue Eagles, Dwangwa United and Moyale have obtained full licenses.
Chitipa United, Azam Tigers, Masters Security, Blantyre United, Red Lions, Silver Strikers and Mafco have secured provisional licences.
PremierBet Wizards have not been granted a licence and have seven days to appeal.