Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has challenged former Flames coach Patrick Mabedi’s demand for K917 million compensation following his unfair and unlawful dismissal.
The tactician, who was getting K13 million per month, is demanding full salaries and fringe benefits for the year remaining in the contract as well as compensation for unfair labour practices.
During assessment proceedings on Tuesday, presided over by Industrial Relations Court deputy chairperson Wyson Nkhata, lawyers for both sides made submissions on the amount Mabedi should receive after the court ruled in his favour.
However, FAM lawyer Luciano Mickeus argued that the figure is excessive and not supported by legal principles used by the Industrial Relations Court in assessing compensation awards.
legally untenable | Courtesy of Fam
He further argued that part of the claim is based on projected benefits, including foreign trip allowances and other activities that may never have materialised had Mabedi completed his contract.
Said Mickeus: “During the assessment, we demonstrated to the court that the amount proposed by the applicant is legally untenable and unsupported by established principles governing assessment of compensation in the Industrial Relations Court.
“Therefore, we expect the compensation amount to drastically fall by the time the court will be making a final determination on the actual sum payable to Mabedi.”
The court has since given both parties until May 12 to submit final computations before delivering its ruling on May 18.
Kanyenda did not comment on FAM’s counter-argument on the claim yesterday.
However, he recently told The Nation that “we expect that a fair determination will be made by the court”.
Mabedi, who signed a two-year contract with FAM in October 2023, was given targets to qualify for the 2025 Afcon, reach the 2024 Cosafa Cup semi-finals and win at least six Fifa 2026 World Cup group L qualifying matches.
He was fired on October 29 2024 after losing first four matches in Afcon and winning two matches in World Cup qualifiers. FAM hired Kallisto Pasuwa as interim coach.
In previous disputes, FAM lost and paid out millions of kwacha in compensation to former coach Meck Mwase, raising concerns over the financial cost to taxpayers.
