Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has apologised to Lilongwe City Mayor Peter Banda for his manhandling during the NBS Bank Charity Shield match between Mighty Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.
The apology follows a demand by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for FAM to submit a report on the incident within 48 hours and to apologise to the mayor.
The ministry also ordered FAM to take immediate disciplinary measures against those responsible.
Banda was forced out from a group of officials as they headed to the podium for the shield presentation by some security officers.
Part of the statement from FAM issued yesterday, reads: “FAM wishes to convey its sincere and unreserved apologies to His Worship the Mayor of Lilongwe, Councillor Peter Banda, the Lilongwe City Council and the general public following the incident that occurred during the NBS Charity Shield medal presentation ceremony.
“We deeply regret the concerns that have arisen regarding protocol during the medal presentation. While the ceremony was conducted in good faith and in celebration of the occasion, we acknowledge that the outcome fell short of the standards expected and may have caused unintended discomfort. For this, we are truly sorry.”
FAM says it holds in the highest regard the office of the mayor, its local authorities and all public officials and remain committed to upholding the respect, dignity and decorum that such offices deserve at all times.
“The matter arose from a protocol oversight at the operational level during the ground coordination and was not in any way related to the event sponsor. Nevertheless, we take full responsibility for the lapse,” the statement further reads.
FAM says it is engaging internally and with relevant stakeholders to fully review the sequence of events and to ensure that appropriate corrective measures are put in place to prevent any recurrence.
“We sincerely appreciate the understanding, patience, and continued support of all stakeholders as we strive to continuously improve the organisation of our competitions and ceremonies.”
Meanwhile, part of the press statement signed by the ministry’s Principal Secretary Jameson Ndalama reads: “The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has learned with profound shock and disbelief of the incident that occurred at the Bingu National Stadium today April 18 2026, during the Charity Shield trophy presentation ceremony.
“It is highly unprofessional and unacceptable that His Worship the mayor, the host of this major event, was intentionally removed from the podium by officials of the Football Association of Malawi.
“This behaviour is not only disrespectful to the office of His Worship the Mayor, but also to the citizens of Lilongwe and the Government of Malawi.”
The statement further says a football event, especially meant for charity, “should be a platform for unity and respect, not an avenue to display arrogance”.
“The ministry remains committed to working with FAM for the development of football, but will not tolerate any form of misconduct that brings the game, the association and the country into disrepute,” reads the statement further.
In an interview yesterday, Banda described the incident as unfortunate.
He said: “The ordeal started right at the VIP gate where I was denied entry even after identifying myself. I spent about two hours pleading with the authorities to let me in to no avail.
“I only found my way in at half time and later on, that is when I joined the group of officials as they headed to the podium only to be forced out and even when I followed to the podium later on, I was told step off.”
The mayor said when he sought an explanation from one of the security officers on the reasons for the treatment, he was told that he was not properly dressed.
“And yet I was putting on a tracksuit just like the other officials. The only difference was that they were wearing NBS Bank branded tracksuits,” he said.
“As a mayor, I felt I was supposed to be there with or without a formal invitation because the event was happening in my city.”
Meanwhile, Malawi Local Government Association president Isaac Jomo Osman, who is also Blantyre City mayor, also condemned the incident and called on FAM to apologise within 24 hours.
The event saw Mighty Wanderers beat FCB Nyasa Big Bullets 1-0.
