FAM disappoints Wanderers over expenditure
Mighty Wanderers have expressed disappointment with the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) for maintaining that they will not shoulder expenses of their semi-final match against Big Bullets in the Carlsberg Cup.
Nomads general secretary Mike Butao said both BB and Wanderers are Blantyre teams and Kamuzu Stadium was an ideal venue considering that the two teams are not stable financially.
“It is not us (teams) who suggested the change of venue, but FAM. We were hoping that FAM would also be responsible for the expenses. We will spend K750 000 for this fixture in Lilongwe instead of K75 000 if we played at Kamuzu Stadium,” said Butao.
FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said: “According to the competition’s rules and regulations, the organising committee has the prerogative to schedule the match at any venue we think will be ideal. Teams must adhere to that.”
But Butao said citing such rules and regulations without considering the financial balance of the teams involved is being insensitive.
“Rules, of course, must be applied but in line with natural justice not just because one has the power to do so. We are not giving up, but appealing to FAM to refund us our expenses from the overall gate collections and not from the percentage allocated to us. Our finances are not healthy,” said Butao.
He said his club failed to raise the concerns during a kit presentation ceremony on Tuesday because, Bullets chairperson Kondi Msungama had spoken supposedly on behalf of the clubs.
“But, honestly, as a club, we feel organisers need to refund the expenses. There is no logic for an all Blantyre affair to be played 310 kilometres away and that teams should meet the expenses,” he said.
