Clubs rebuffed FAM, Sulom gate shares remain intact

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and its affiliate Sulom have rejected Super League clubs’ request to reduce their 10 percent shares from gate collections.

FAM and Sulom turned down the request when it was tabled during the association’s annual general meeting (AGM) held in Salima on Saturday.

This comes in the wake of the clubs’ demand that the 10 percent shares which FAM and the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) get is not justified as they have other means of generating revenue. They argue that the cuts that go to the two institutions could help teams boost their coffers.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu and his Sulom counterpart Innocent Bottomani said they use their respective shares from gate-revenue to organise courses for referees, coaches and administrators as well as running the league.

Nyamilandu said instead, clubs need to implement the 2009 Lilongwe Declaration to commercialise the league and put in place measures to tighten gate-management system.

“A lot has been said on this issue, but clubs need to realise that we are a body entrusted with the organisation and running of the game in the country; hence, part of the money we get from gate collections is used to train referees, coaches and indeed administrators.

“In fact, some of the administrators that were demanding the review are ignorant of that and need to undergo such administrative courses,” said Nyamilandu.

The FAM president also noted that if the clubs have concerns regarding the gate- collection shares, then they must take it up at their own general assembly.

He also said the clubs are just scratching the surface in the way they are tackling the issue of gate collections.

“The unfortunate part is that the teams themselves have no control over some of their fans who make a quick buck from gate collections at the expense of the players. They [clubs] know it, but are skirting around the issue,” said Nyamilandu.

Bottomani said Sulom cannot reduce its share from the gate-takings as it would affect the operations of the league.

“We use part of the money to meet administrative and officiation costs. In fact, clubs raised the issue at the previous general assembly and we justified why we get the 10 percent share as it covered referees and other administrative issues,” said Bottomani.

However, Silver Strikers chairperson McDonald Mafuta-Mwale and Big Bullets general secretary, whose club led the clamour for the gate-collection shares review, described FAM and Sulom’s rejection as unfortunate.

“The result is that clubs will continue to struggle financially. The issue about commercialising the league is just mere talk. The reality is that the Lilongwe Declaration is way beyond us.

“Of course, some of us have tried to some point, but we are hindered by resources, it is a far-fetched dream and we need to be realistic.

“As clubs, we need to mobilise ourselves and go back to the drawing board to map the way forward,” said Mafuta-Mwale.

Mkandawire said if the problem is fraud, then FAM and Sulom should lead the way to address it.

“If there is need to review the system, then it is FAM and Sulom that have to take the first step in addressing the problem on behalf of the clubs,” said Mkandawire.

Wanderers general secretary David Kanyenda said he was yet to get official communication on FAM and Sulom’s decision.