Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has suspended its executive committee member Daud Mtanthiko in relation to allegations of sexual abuse levelled against him.
The development comes after Malawi National council of Sports demanded his suspension to pave the way for investigations following his implication in alleged sexual advances on a female official during the Malawi Women’s National football Team trip to South Africa for friendlies.
In a statement released on Sunday, FAM also dismissed rumours that Mtanthiko was part of the Malawi Schools Girls’ National Football Team which has travelled to Ghana for the CAF Africa Schools’ Championship
Reads the statement: “The Football Association of Malawi [FAM] would like to categorically refute rumors being circulated by Malawi Voice, alleging that one of its executive committee members, Mr. Daud Mtanthiko, has travelled with the Malawi Schools Team currently in Accra, Ghana.
“FAM wishes to clarify that Mr. Mtanthiko is currently under suspension pending investigations into allegations levelled against him. As such, he is not part of the delegation in Ghana.
“FAM is engaging relevant authorities to address the deliberate spread of false information and is committed to promoting responsible and accountable media reporting.”
Mtanthiko could not be reached for comment on Sunday, but a source said he also wrote a letter, asking to step aside in the wake of the investigations.
Meanwhile, Sports Council chief executive officer Henry Kamata said on Sunday said while they are satisfied with FAM’s move, they expect “a fair, smooth and transparent process”.
He said: “They [FAM] have actually written us in response to our letter nd for us, it is a positive development.
“But this is only the first step, the most important thing is the actual investigation.”
On suggestions from some quarters that the investigation should have been carried by an independent body, the council chief said: “Each sports association has a disciplinary body and we feel that for now, we should give them space. They should be allowed to follow their procedures.
“But if we are not satisfied with how the investigation is conducted, then we will institute our own.”
Last week, FAM announced that it had launched an investigation into the allegations.
Apart from Sports Council, Council of Southern Africa Football Association has also demanded report from FAM.
