Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has sidelined National Women’s Football Association leadership in the ongoing sexual misconduct investigation.
National Women’s Football Association chairperson Adelaide Migogo in an interview confirmed that they are not involved in the investigations.
“I am not privy to the investigation. I was told by FAM leadership that the National Women’s Football Team, the Scorchers, is not my responsibility.
“I was told to focus on the national and regional leagues. As such, I am not part of the investigation team,” she said
Meanwhile, FAM insists that they had all mechanisms in place to protect players from sexual misconduct.
Asked if FAM like all other football associations in the world has a policy that travelling national, especially a women’s team, a chaperone must accompanying the team, director of communication Gome Zakazaka said all procedures were followed.
“We have a safegurding policy in place and all are appraised. Every women’s or junior team travels with a trained safegurding officer,” he said.
On why a women’s national team was led by Daud Mtanthiko, who is at the centre fo the probe, Zakazaka said it was a normal procedure at FAM.
“Executive members lead national teams on behalf of the president and association.
“Even female executive members are designated to lead male teams,” said Zakazaka.
FAM waited about two weeks to start investigations into the sexual abuse allegations.
This prompted the public to accuse FAM on social media of trying to ‘protect’ Mtanthiko.
Asked if there is a channel deliberately laid out for players and female officials to lodge a compliant in case of sexual harassment, Zakazaka said they have a policy covering that aspect.
“We have a safeguarding policy which clearly stipulates measures one must follow when in a situation that needs to be reported,” he said.
In 2020 an independent investigation by deputy US attorney general Sally Q Yates found multiple cases of sexual misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League.
In neighbouring Zambia, the head coach of Zambia’s women’s football team Bruce Mwape was investigated over allegations of sexual misconduct.
In 2023, former Spain Football Federation president Luis Rubiales was found guilty of sexual assault after kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent following the team’s victory over England in Fifa Women’s World Cup final
