Nomads, Masters Security FC’s budgets might shrink

Tom Sangala January 26, 2018

265 1 minute read

Budgets of Be Forward Wanderers and Masters Security FC—Malawi’s ambassadors in the 2018 continental competitions—might shrink by K11 million, following the Confederation of African Football’s (Caf) decision to foot referees’ bills.

Under previous Caf rules and regulations for the continental competitions, host teams were to, during home matches, meet all expenses for referees, assistant referees and match commissioners in all Caf-sanctioned games.

Wanderers General Secretary, Mike Butao, confirmed last week that their budget had, before the changes which Caf announced last week, factored in the officiating personnel’s expenses.

“Our budget for the two games is around K60 million and the total cost for referees, car hire, air tickets and accommodation for the home game was coming to around K11.8 million, so it is quite substantial that we will save,” Butao said last week.

The changes of the referees’ payments are part of Caf President Ahmad’s agenda to revolutionalise the continent’s football.

“Effective 2018, indemnities of referees designated for Caf matches will be paid directly by Caf. This historic decision is a materialisation of a campaign promise by the Caf President.

“(Until) now, the regulations required host associations to pay these indemnities. The decision reduces the financial burden on national associations and also eliminates an ethical challenge because it removes the suspicion perceived between national associations and the referees,” reads part of Caf’s statement released last Wednesday.

Wanderers will play against AS Vita of the Democratic Republic of Congo whereas Masters date Petro de Luanda of Angola. Nomads and Masters will start with away games on the weekend of February 9.

Masters General Secretary, Zachariah Nyirenda, kept a tight lead on their budget for the Confederation Cup.

Masters and Wanderers were to spend roughly K2.8 million ($4,000) each on allowances only for officiating personnel, with each entitled to K537,750 ($750). $=K717.

Combined with other expenses such as inland transport, air tickets, allowances and accommodation, each club can spend K11.4 million ($16,000) per match on referees and match commissioners.

Football Association of Malawi General Secretary, Alfred Gunda, whose body helped Masters and Wanderers prepare their budgets, confirmed that Caf would pay referees.

“This commitment is a very commendable decision for African football. One of the challenges that have been facing match hosting nations are the expenses for match officials which covered flights from wherever an official is coming to the host country and the hotel accommodation plus their fees.

“It has lifted a huge cost off the shoulder of FAs. The presidents did request for consideration on this and the leadership has made a positive response,” Gunda said in a response to a questionnaire.

Caf will spend about K2.1 billion ($3 million) for 650 matches of all competitions in a football calendar.