Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has said the honeymoon is over for Central Region Football Association (CRFA) Chipiku Premier Division teams that choose to stay away from matches and donate free points.
About 12 matches in the 2023 season were marred by failure of teams to turn up even when playing at home.
Speaking during the launch of the region’s 2024 season at Dowa Community Centre Ground on Sunday, Fam President Fleetwood Haiya said stringent measures had been put in place to punish the culprits.
Haiya said the tendency will not be tolerated as it brings match fixing elements into the game.
“I am therefore calling for professionalism in the administration of the league. All teams that have registered in the league this season should make sure that they fulfil all their fixtures without fail. We will not tolerate any lame excuse this time,” he said.
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The Fam boss also promised to work hand-in-hand with CRFA in finding ways of beefing up sponsorship for the league.
“We will make sure that we get more money for the league because this is the only way we can bring stiff competition among teams. This will enable the league to contribute quality teams and players to the TNM Super League and our national teams,” he said.
Haiya also disclosed that arrangements are in place to end the cluster system of competing in the country’s regional leagues, saying they have to revert to the normal arrangement next season.
CRFA General Secretary Antonio Manda said they would implement Fam’s orders to the letter.
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“We are taking on board whatever the president has said as far as administration of the league is concerned. Discipline is of paramount importance and we will make sure that all players and team officials abide by our rules and regulations. We have drawn a calendar of events which will guide all our activities throughout the season,” Manda said.
He said it was the first time for the association to compile a calendar to guide their season.
Chipiku Stores sponsors the 24-team league to the tune of K19.8 million.
The league will start with eight teams in each of its three clusters.
