FAM warns on anti-Nyamilandu placards during Charity Shield

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says it will not tolerate displaying of placards and banners against its president Walter Nyamilandu during this afternoon’s Charity Shield match between FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

This follows a call from unknown people to demonstrate against the FAM president during the match.

A flier posted on social media calls for people to use the match which marks the kick-off of the season, to demonstrate against Nyamilandu who has been FAM president since 2003.

But FAM competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said this will not be allowed as it is against Fifa and Confederation of African Football (CAF) rules.

He said: “CAF and Fifa are clear in their rules and regulations.

“They restrict banners and placards of hate message.”

According to Fifa Disciplinary Code Chapter Two Article 1, a club or association guilty of such misconduct risks playing matches with a limited number of spectators and a fine of at least CHF 20 000.

The code reads: “Any person who offends the dignity or integrity of a country, a person or group of people through contemptuous, discriminatory or derogatory words or actions on account of race, skin colour, ethnicity, nationality, social origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or any other opinion, wealth, birth or any other status or any other reason shall be sanctioned with a suspension lasting at least 10 matches or a specific period, or any other appropriate disciplinary measure.”

Some fans also displayed placards against  Nyamilandu during Malawi Flames’ Afcon qualifier against Egypt at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on March 28.

But Nyasa Big Bullets supporters director Stone Mwamadi, who was one of the people who displayed the placards, has called on the supporters not to demonstrare this afternoon.

He said: “This is a charity match. We are doing this for the people who are affected by Cyclone Freddy.

“Please, let’s not use it to demonstrate against Nyamilandu. Not this time.

“If we want to demonstrate please let’s do this during Malawi national football team matches.”