Bullets blame low patronage on FAM

Big Bullets have blamed Football Association of Malawi (FAM) for the low patronage in Sunday’s CAF Champions League first-round, second leg tie against Al Hilal of Sudan.

As of yesterday morning, the stakeholders were yet to reconcile the figures, but Bullets supporters committee secretary Mabvuto Chibambo said considering the low turnout, they were not expecting much from the proceeds.

The turnout at Kamuzu Stadium was to say the least disappointing and while some attributed it to the 4-0 first-leg humiliation in Khartoum, others felt the charges were on the higher side.

Following consultations among the stakeholders, entry tickets for open stands were reduced by 100 percent from K2 000 to K1 000 when it became clear that the turnout was very low, this was in contrast to the Fomboni match which attracted a huge crowd.

“My chairperson [Stone Mwamadi] and I approached FAM on Tuesday and asked them if the gate charges could be reduced, but they refused, saying there was need to make more revenue to meet the expenses of hosting the match,” said Chibambo.

He also said the past leadership did not help the cause either.

“The previous leadership left a lot of debts one of which was katapila [usury] they got from someone who came soon after the match and demanded K3 million from the K2.5 million that the previous committee took from him.

Chibambo, however, admitted that the team will have a tough time settling debts such as hosting the visiting team and the match officials.

“Government and well-wishers helped us meet other costs, but there are still more to be paid,” he said.

However, FAM facilities and club licensing manager Casper Jangale dismissed Bullets claims, saying fans were discouraged by the first-leg result.