Tempers flared at Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach Hotel in Salima District on Saturday.
It all started when Northern Region Football Association Chairperson Masiya Nyasulu moved a motion to revoke the membership of three associations, namely National Youth Football Association, National Referees Association and National Football Coaches Association.
The situation led to disagreements between Fam president Fleetwood Haiya and executive committee member Chimango Munthali.
Sitting at the front as an executive committee member, Munthali raised his hand to speak on the matter.
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But Haiya used his power as chairperson of the meeting to stop Munthali from speaking.
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“Should I call security?” the Fam president charged.
There was some tension in the room but calm was eventually restored.
In an interview Sunday, Haiya said the matter would be handled at executive committee level.
“We will discuss and see the way forward,” he said.
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According to article 33(2), the president has powers to curtail deliberations during the General Assembly.
“The chairman is responsible for ensuring that the meeting runs according to agenda and to that effect, he has the power to curtail speeches, contributions or comments by delegates,” part of the statutes reads.
When contacted Sunday, Munthali declined to comment on the matter.
“I will not be comfortable discussing the issue,” he said.
Fam article 27(5) also gives executive committee members the power to deliberate on issues at the General Assembly.
“The Executive Committee members and the General Secretary may contribute to deliberations in the General Assembly but shall have no voting rights. During their terms of office, members of the executive committee shall not be appointed as delegates to the General Assembly,” the statutes read.
At the end of the meeting, the delegates approved the dismissal of the three member associations.
The resolution was passed by a clear majority. The decision was reached through a vote as stipulated in the Fam statutes.
“A decision that requires a vote shall be reached by a show of hands,” reads article 34(1) of the Fam statutes.
Following the development, the three associations have been stripped of their voting rights and will no longer be part of Fam AGM as delegates.
However, the decision has received mixed views from the football fraternity.
