FAM shift gear in match-fixing fight

Football Association of Malawi says it will include the police and prosecution authorities in its quest to tackle match-fixing and corruption in the local game.

The association’s general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said this will be part of their plan in implementing resolutions from the Fifa/Cosafa and Interpo workshop on match-fixing and corruptions in football held last weekend at Garden Court in Johannesburg.

In a statement, Nyirenda admitted that there are elements of match-fixing and corruption in Malawian football, but very little has been exposed

He said the law authorities have a big role in exposing and dealing with the scandals.

“FAM will also strengthen its working relationship with the Anti-Corruption Bureau so that perpetrators of this scourge are properly prosecuted. FAM will be working with these partners to come up with a proper enforcement strategy that will include investigation methods and proper information exchange between FAM and law enforcers.

“FAM will also embark on public awareness campaign regarding issues of integrity in football and this will involve all stakeholders such as Players, officials, coaches, referees, administrators and the media.

“FAM will also strive to update and revise its policies such as Code of Ethics, Disciplinary Code and Code of Conduct so that issues surrounding integrity in Football are properly captured,” reads the statement.

The association also intends to establish a free toll line for whistle blowers who will assist in exposing the malpractice.

“FAM will lobby the Ministry of Education to seriously consider including the topic of match-fixing in the PE syllabus as well as in Social Studies under crime. It is also hopeful that players at the yet-to-be-launched academy will learn on the evils of this scourge so that the grassroots is aware of match- fixing and its repercussions,” added Nyirenda.

Nyirenda, legal adviser Jabber Alide, Super League of Malawi treasurer Tiya Somba Banda, National Referees committee’s Patrick Kapanga and Brian Kalemba represented Malawi.