FAM reports Mali to CAF for poor accommodation

The Flames had to wait for the match commissioner on Thursday to determine on their demand to have their hosts Mali book them another hotel after rejecting the one they had initially been allocated.

The Flames arrived in Mali’s capital Bamako on Wednesday for Saturday’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and were booked at Olympe International Hotel, which they described as substandard, but still spent a night there under protest.

Leader of delegation David Dube, who is also Football Association of Malawi (FAM) executive member, said as atnoon yesterday, they were looking for a better hotel.

“The hotel where they booked us is sub-standard not befitting Confederation of African Football (CAF) requirements which state that a visiting team should be accommodated in a quality hotel. It is very dirty and even the beddings are untidy.

“So, we are currently looking for a better hotel and once we find one, we will ask the host association to pay, but if they refuse then we’ll pay on anticipation that CAF, through the match commissioner, will order them to pay on Thursday.

However, the Flames team leader said save for the accommodation, they were happy with other services.

“They accorded us a warm welcome, their officials were there at the airport. They processed visas for us and provided transport.

“We also do not have problems with the training ground that they have provided us,” he said.

But FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said as per rules and regulations of CAF, the team is only supposed to move out of the hotel after inspection by the match commissioner.

“The match commissioner is scheduled to arrive in Bamako at 1pm today [yesterday]. So, the proper way to do it would be to wait for him to inspect the hotel and wait for his determination because there is a risk of paying for their costs in the event that they move out of the hotel before the match commissioner’s inspection.

“After all, we already lodged a formal complaint to CAF on Wednesday and they have responded, saying a determination will be made upon the match commissioner’s inspection.

“So, maybe I need to get in touch with Dube again and advise him accordingly,” said Nyirenda.

Efforts to get Mali officials’ reaction proved futile on Thursday.