Yabwanya’s claims trashed
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) elections committee chairperson Judge Dingiswayo Madise has dismissed presidential hopeful Willy Yabwanya Phiri’s allegations that there is a conspiracy behind his disqualification.
The committee disqualified the Canada-based nominee on grounds that he is not a resident within FAM’s territory as demanded by article 34.2 of the soccer governing body’s statutes.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, Madise, a High Court judge based in Mzuzu, said Yabwanya Phiri should not suspect conspiracy as he could have qualified if he had returned home during nomination process.
“Article 34 of the statutes is very clear. It says one must be resident within the territory of FAM. It doesn’t specify on whether an aspirant has permanent or temporary residency.
statutes is very clear
“During the nominations the gentleman was not in Malawi and hence the committee’s decision to disqualify him,” he said.
But Yabwanya Phiri, who sponsors Karonga United, argued that he is residing in Canada on temporary basis and that since his permanent residence is Malawi he is eligible to stand.
He, therefore, suspected that there is a conspiracy against him “because I have the potential to beat the incumbent Walter Nyamilandu.”
Meanwhile, Madise says aspirants who were disqualified for not submitting certificates and other documents will not be given a second chance.
According to a press release issued Sunday, FAM former treasurer Hubert Mfune was barred for failing to submit his Malawi School Certificate of Education or equivalent while sitting executive member Paul Mzungu did not submit documented profile to prove his eligibility to contest.
Both Mzungu and Mfune were vying for the position of executive committee members.
Madise said about their fate: “The nomination process ended on the midnight of November 13. If you failed to submit your papers before that time, there is no way we can accept them now.”
Reacting to his disqualification yesterday Mzungu said: “Obviously I am disappointed and I am trying to come up with a strong case before appealing.” n
