Carlsberg concerned with ugly scenes

FAM to meet teams on violence

Carlsberg Malawi has expressed concern on the continued ugly scenes that have characterised the final stages of the Carlsberg Cup.

The giant brewer’s senior brands manager [alcoholics] Twikale Chirwa said they are hopeful that all concerned stakeholders in particular FAM and police will be on top of things and address the situation.

“Our aim is to develop the game through the sponsorship of the cup and we hope FAM and police will help in addressing the situation; otherwise, it is worrisome. We are very concerned with what is happening,” said Chirwa.

He also expressed hope that the tournament will end well.

Asked on the future of the sponsorship, Chirwa said: “The future of the sponsorship will be determined after the finals.”

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu has since said they are anxious about the sad developments, saying it could lead to the loss of sponsorship.

Nyamilandu said the development is a cause for worry as the Carlsberg’s board and management repeatedly warned that they would not hesitate to pull out should their brand be embroiled in acts of violence.

He also attributed the upshot to frustration which has crept in as a result of Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers’ loss of Carlsberg sponsorship.

“We are very worried with the current situation, it is unprecedented and we condemn it in strongest terms.

“What we have established is that teams haven’t accepted the loss of sponsorship and frustration has crept in and they are venting their anger on the wrong course. We are trying to come to the bottom of it and we’ll be meeting officials of various teams to see how best we can address the situation,” said Nyamilandu adding that there is also rivalry between military and civilian teams due to the former’s impressive performance.

The FAM head specifically mentioned Blantyre-based fans as having gone to the extremes.

“It’s a new sponsorship and we believe Carlsberg has done a wonderful job and we would have said thank you, but it shows how feeble-minded  some people are and it is the same people that are going to suffer in the end,” he said.

Nyamilandu also said it is because of the recent acts of violence that the main organising committee of the competition decided to have the final match between Moyale and Kamuzu Barracks played in Mzuzu.

“Now, we just have to be on our toes and ensure that the tournament ends well and we are keeping our fingers crossed that Carlsberg will bear with us,” said Nyamilandu who played a key role in negotiating for the sponsorship of the Carlsberg Cup and the two clubs.