Chande laughs last

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) disciplinary committee has thrown out Nyasa Big Bullets’ complaint on the legality of Jaffalie Chande’s transfer to rivals Mighty Be Forward Wanderers.

Bullets complained to FAM that the player was unlawfully signed by Wanderers because he has a running contract with the TNM Super League champions.

However, the disciplinary committee, headed by Arthur Nanthuru, has ruled that Bullets failed to prove that the player was still contracted to them when he signed a three-year contract with Wanderers.

Part of the verdict reads: “The committee, therefore, rules that the complainants [Bullets] in this case have failed to prove their case. It is accordingly dismissed. On the available evidence, the committee finds it more probable than not that the respondent’s contract with the complainants expired on February 13, 2016.

“He was, as from that date, a free agent. There was, therefore, nothing illegal or irregular with him signing for MBFW [Mighty Be Forward Wanderers].”

The ruling doubted Bullets’ sincerity after presenting two different contracts—one expiring in August 2016 while the other expiring in August 2017.

“During the committee proceedings, not only did the complainants fail to produce this contract, but they also altered their account by now alleging that the respondent in fact had a contract with them that run up to August 2017. This later contract which was placed before the committee is, by the complainant’s own admission, a copy of a copy that was handed over to them after it had been stolen from their offices. The committee, with great sympathy to the complainants, is of the firm conviction that the later contract’s authenticity being questionable, very little evidential weight, if at all, can be attached to it,” the verdict reads.

The disciplinary committee has, however, faulted FAM and Super League of Malawi (Sulom) of negligence for failing to keep safe players’ contracts.

“It is a legal requirement in this country that player contracts be deposited with both Sulom and FAM. The evidence before this Committee suggests that both of these institutions were unable to produce the respondent’s contract with the complainants when asked to do so by the complainants. This is regrettable and legitimately opens these institutions to accusations of underhand tactics. This is obviously not good for the development of sound administration of the beautiful game of football in our country,” reads the ruling.

Meanwhile, Bullets have accepted the ruling.

Bullets acting general secretary Kelvin Moyo said they would not pursue the matter further.

The player, on the other hand, said it was a relief that justice had prevailed.n