‘Team-work needed in fight against violence’
Football teams committees and players can be the antidote of football violence and hooliganism that has been rocking the country for ages.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Competitions and Media Manager, Gomezgani Zakazaka, said this during the Fisd Challenge Cup preliminary draw held at Mpira House in Chiwembe Township on Tuesday.
He said it was not proper to leave the responsibility of curbing violence on supporters only.
“Apart from the supporters, it is high time football team committees incorporated players in the fight against violence. They need to urge them to desist from any violence-provoking antics so that as a unit, acts of football violence in the country could be completely eradicated,” Zakazaka said.
He complained that violence tarnishes football’s image.
Zakazaka added that the association expects all parties to safeguard the Fisd Challenge Cup by ensuring violence-free games.
Fisd Brands Manager, Maxwell Phiri, who was the guest of honor at the event, concurred with Zakazaka, saying violence scares potential sponsors.
“Sponsors might either decide to pull out or potential sponsors might be discouraged due to the violence. In the long run, this contributes to the dwindling of football standards in the country,” Phiri noted.
Violence has been a major problem on the domestic football scene and is cited as the major cause of football sponsorship drought and poor patronage.
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