FAM shortcuts haunt clubs
TNM Super League clubs risk being barred from participating in CAF interclub competitions after Football Association of Malawi (FAM) failed to fully implement club licensing before the 2024 season kicked off.
A leaked letter from Confederation of African Football (CAF) technical development director Raul Chipenda dated September 25 2023 warned FAM that their failure to fully implement the club licensing will result in their clubs being barred from participating in CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup.
The letter reads in part: “Following the successful transition to the new CAF club licensing regulations as well as the introduction of the CAF licensing online platform (Clop), member associations are requested to ensure that the club licensing departments at national level are properly established, well-functioning and adequately equipped to carry out their activities.
“In case the licensor has not properly appointed the club licensing administration in line with the conditions set in the CAF Club Licensing regulations as well as in the present circular, their licensing process could be deemed invalid, and consequently their clubs will not be allowed to take part in the CAF interclub competitions.”
CAF also asked FAM to employ a club licensing officer which FAM is yet to implement.
The letter further reads: “Furthermore, CAF reminds all member associations of the need to ensure the following conditions as a minimum club licensing administration, establishment of an appropriate and strengthened club licensing department which is independent from other internal departments, with all the necessary resources in order to implement and manage the club licensing system and process effectively, and which shall include at least a club licensing manager who shall dedicate his work to the full implementation of club licensing at national level and a club licensing officer, who shall have knowledge in information technology. He/she would assist the club licensing manager to achieve the goals established under the club licensing department.”
FAM has a club licensing manager Casper Jangale, who is on a sabbatical in United Kingodm from January to July.
A member of the CAF club licensing committee First Instance Body said they also communicated to FAM challenges they met due to Jangale’s absence and recommended to have a club licensing officer.
Said the member: “We did our part and submitted a report to FAM secretariat. If anything, it is them [secretariat] that can respond as to why we are having such challenges when we already told them what should be done.”
In an interview, FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda said they decided to forego the process before the season kicked off due to challenges of migrating from manual to CAF licensing online platform (Clop).
He also denied that the absence of a club licencing manager and officer was impacting the process.
“That is not true as we have support staff on the ground plus Clop is an online system meaning it can be accessed anywhere in the world without someone being physically present,” he said.
TNM Super League champions FCB Nyasa Bullets, who have been participating in CAF Champions League for the past five years and are set to represent Malawi in 2024/25 edition, have pleaded with FAM to put things in order.
The club’s chief administration officer Albert Chigoga said: “It is serious. Hopefully the FA will expeditiously work on putting things right.”
