FAM hands Peter Fote one year ban for aiding Benin

No more football commentary for Peter Fote for a year. That the verdict that the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has handed Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) sports journalist Peter Fote for aiding Benin.

Fote’s one year ban includes stopping him from all soccer activities—that FAM governs in the country.

According to FAM’s letter, which The Nation has seen dated August 13, 2014, the ban came into effect during the local football governing body’s executive committee meeting held on August 9, 2014 at Chiwembe Technical Centre in Malawi’s commercial hub, Blantyre.

The suspension follows reports that Fote offered Benin national soccer team technical information on how they could beat the Flames during the CAF African Cup of Nations qualifier at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre a fortnight ago.

The Flames won the game on post-match penalties 4-3.

The MBC’s soccer commentator was summoned by FAM two weeks ago after his SMS purportedly meant to be sent to a Benin FA high-ranking official, mistakenly went to Flames’ liason officer James Sangala.

“FAM [has] resolved to ban you for one year from all football related activities, including reporting and football commentatory activities,” reads part of the letter signed by FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda and addressed to Fote.

“The ban is as a result of your acceptance that the purported texts came from you. FAM is hereby warning you that any breach to this ban stipulation will result in life ban from all football activities and you are seriously warned to desist from this conduct. We trust that this is orderly.”

Fote could not be reached on his mobile phone yesterday for comment.

The ostensible text reads: “Hie boss, this is a journalist who travelled with the Malawi team and I just wanted to say may the Almighty God bless you abundantly for helping me. I will, in return, pay you by assisting you with information to beat Malawi at home. Let’s talk; I am ready to do anything for you boss.”

Last month, Sports Writers Association of Malawi (Swam) said it was following with utmost interest such reports before making any official communication.