Football Players Association of Malawi (FPAM) has asked for inclusion into Football Association of Malawi’s (Fam) National Dispute Resolution Chamber (NDRC).
FPAM says this will ensure effective delivery of justice whenever disputes arise in the game.
Fam announced the establishment of the body on Wednesday during a ceremony held at its Mpira House in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre.
Deputy Chief Justice Lovemore Chikopa chairs the body, with legal practitioner Innocentia Ottober as vice chairperson while Barbra Mchenga Tsiga, Chiza Nyirongo and Bernard Ndau are members.
FPAM General Secretary Ernest Mangani expressed gratitude to Fam for setting up the body but asked that their member be co-opted into it.
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“We want to thank Fam for taking such a bold step to establish the local disputes body which will help in resolving domestic football disputes. But while this is a welcome development, we want to ask the leadership to consider co-opting our member into the board whenever disputes arise. This will take out any fears of bias,” Mangani said.
In response, Fam legal committee chairperson Felistus Dossi said: “The chairperson already hinted that for us to get registered by Fifa, to be initiated soon, the process will include reshuffling the committee and the same will include adding representatives from players’ association and clubs. That is the requirement.”
Chikopa said the committee would be independent and professional when carrying out its duties.
He described establishment of the chamber as a significant milestone in enhancing governance, transparency and conflict resolution within Malawi’s football structures.
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“As chair, I will ensure the NDRC delivers impartial decisions, protecting the rights of all football stakeholders. This chamber will be a beacon of hope for fair play. The body will specifically deal with disputes between players and blubs besides handling disputes between clubs in terms of ownership of players, just to mention a few,” Chikopa said.
The body will also oversee settlement of disputes under one umbrella-handling regulatory applications, players’ status issues and disputes involving agents and intermediaries in accordance with laws governing football.
Fifa’s football tribunal comprises Disputes Resolution Chamber, Players’ Status Chamber and Agents Chamber.
