Sulom’s failure to pay dues in full worries refs

The National Football Referees Committee (NFRC) has expressed worry over Super League of Malawi’s (Sulom) failure to pay in full officiation dues for the TNM Super League first round.

NFRC general secretary Chris Kalichelo yesterday said his body averted an imminent boycott by referees ahead of the second round kick-off on Saturday over the same concerns.

“The cost of officiating games for one round is now at K7.2 million and at the start of the season, Sulom only paid us K4 million, leaving them with a balance of K3.2 million.

“The referees then made a stance that they would not officiate the second round games unless the balance was settled, but Sulom acted swiftly by paying K1.8 million, thereby reducing the deficit to just K1.4 million,” he said.

However, Kalichelo said they are still worried because it is always a problem getting their payment from Sulom at the end of the season.

“It is always problematic and that is why we wanted them to pay us the amount in full,”

However, reacting to the referees body’s concerns, Sulom treasurer Tiya Somba-Banda said:  “The K1.4 million [balance] is just too small compared to the K15 million plus we have so far paid towards referees costs in the first round.

“This will be sorted out in due course as we always do in each and every season.”

Referees are paid K60 000 per set in each game.