Nomads get cheque despite court order
The controversy surrounding Tony Chitsulo’s transfer saga took yet another twist yesterday when Mighty Wanderers got their K8 million (US$20 000) Standard Bank Knockout Trophy prize money despite a garnishee order to enable Silver Strikers to get their K1.95 million (US$4 750) transfer fee.
Silver chairperson McDonald Mafuta-Mwale accused FAM of practising double standards.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda yesterday confirmed issuing cheques to the teams on Wednesday.
Asked why they went ahead to issue the Nomads a cheque when there was a court order against the same, Nyirenda said: “We were not served with a copy of the order and as such, we could not withhold the cheque.”
While admitting that FAM were not served with the court order, Mafuta-Mwale said he was not amused by FAM’s move.
“I thought they [FAM] are the ones who asked us to withdraw the case on the basis that they would arbitrate? Now, they [FAM] know that Wanderers owe us that much, why then did they not hold back the [K1.95 million] from Wanderers’ prize money pending the arbitration?
“It is clear that FAM do not want to help us, yet this is a straightforward issue. That is why we sought court intervention because both Sulom and FAM knew about it, but did nothing,” said Mafuta-Mwale.
But he said despite getting the cheque, the Nomads will not be able to cash it in the wake of the garnishee order.
He also vowed not to withdraw their court case as advised by FAM.
Wanderers general secretary David Kanyenda said although they have received their prize money, they will not honour Chitsulo’s transfer fee because FAM has intervened on the issue.
