Sulom, Fam in tight spot over whether to continue with matches
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has said it will fully comply with government regulations on public-gathering restrictions, fueling speculation that the TNM Super League might be suspended.
This comes after the Presidential National Taskforce on Covid-19 announced that public gatherings will be restricted to a maximum of 100 people for a period of 14 days following the rise in coronavirus cases.
The ban on public gatherings will apply to all including football matches and crossover events scheduled for the eve of the New Year.
The restrictions automatically mean the fans will not be allowed to watch the matches should the league continue. In reaction to the development Tuesday, Sulom President Tiya Somba-Banda said they would meet to discuss the way forward.
“The regulation is just for 14 days and we will discuss as Sulom on the way forward on the same. But, all in all, we will comply with the regulations,” Somba-Banda said Tuesday.
The fans have been watching matches in the opening stages of the season.
However, there have been relaxation on the Covid-19 preventive measures from all the stakeholders including the fans, clubs and security personnel.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) executive member who is the chairperson of the association’s Special Taskforce on Covid-19, Chimango Munthali said they would wait for official communication.
“It is sad news indeed but we have our own ways of communicating and we will wait for Sports Council and Ministry of Sports to give us guidance,” he said.
As of yesterday, coronavirus cases had reached 46.
It remains to be seen whether TNM Super League matches would be played behind closed doors after fans have been watching matches in all the venues across the country.
Clubs, Sulom and Fam had been saying, while they valued people’s lives, playing football without fans would not be viable.
Clubs spend a lot of money on fulfilling fixtures every week and generate revenue from gate takings.
Nyasa Big Bullets Chief Administrator Albert Chigoga said the clubs had no option.
“It is a tricky situation but we have no other option under the circumstances we are in. This is the most difficult time of life,” he said.
It is not known if the Blantyre derby between Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers will take place without fans on January 2 at Kamuzu Stadium.
Red Lions are at the summit of the TNM Super League log table with 11 points from five matches followed by Ntopwa on nine points from four matches.
Silver Strikers are third with seven points from the same number of points.
