Fam extends mandate of 3 associations
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has extended the mandate of its three affiliates which was due to expire today.
At its executive meeting held at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge, Fam decided to extend the mandate for Central Region Football Association, Northern Region Football Association and Southern Region Football Association as the three bodies await Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigations on bribery claims during nomination process.
“In line with article 75 of the Fam Statutes which gives the Executive Committee of Fam powers to make the final decision on any matters not provided in the Fam statutes or in case of Force Majeure, the Committee made a decision to extend the mandate of three Regional Football Associations, which will expire in the next few days, until their cases with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) are concluded and elections can be properly conducted,” the statement reads.
In November 2020, the ACB stopped elective annual general meetings of the Southern, Central and Northern region football associations following allegations of irregularities in the nomination process.
“The standoff presents a possible power vacuum when the 60 days within which an election has to be held upon expiry of the terms of office is up in the next few days.
“As a result the Executive Committee in exercise of its powers resolved to extend the mandate of the three associations until ACB makes a determination,” the statement reads.
It further states that Fam has taken measures to inform the World football governing body, Fifa, on current events.
“Fam would also like to advise the three associations to continue complying with the ACB restriction notice and fully co-operate with the investigations that are being undertaken to ensure that the truth of the matter is well established and duly resolved,” the statement states.
Former Fam acting general secretary George Kaudza Masina said the association’s executive committee meeting made the right decisions.
“For Fam to extend the mandate of the regional associations might be seen to be controversial but, realistically, it is very much in order.
“The Fam statutes and that of the regional associations were made in such a way that there shouldn’t be a vacuum. That is why in the articles of the regional associations it is required for them to hold elections within 60 days after the expiry of their term of office,” he said.
