BB players want FAM to move relief funds to club

TNM Super League outfit Nyasa Big Bullets players have asked Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to be depositing their Covid-19 relief funds direct to the club’s account.

This, if approved, will bend the FAM rules which stipulate that the funds, through which each player pockets K40 000 monthly, should go direct into the players’ accounts.

Bullets captain John Lanjesi confirmed submitting a request to FAM in an interview yesterday.

“We wrote them three days ago. The reason is that most times FAM delays to transfer the money and this affects us. So, if an agreement is reached that the relief funds go directly to the  club’s account, Bullets will be paying us even before FAM has transferred the money,” he said.

He, however, said that FAM had not responded to their request this far.

Meanwhile, FAM Covid-19 Task Force chairperson Chimango Munthali has acknowledged receiving the letter, but said a resolution has not been made.

“We have received a letter from Bullets players requesting us to do that. By the way, it’s a request FAM has not approved yet. We are looking into it,” he said.

Reacting to the matter, Silver Strikers chief executive officer Thoko Chimbali said if FAM accepts Bullets request then it should apply to all clubs.

He said initially most clubs wanted FAM to be depositing the funds directly into the clubs’ accounts.

“It is something we have been fighting for. Silver and Bullets made similar requests and were turned down. Now, maybe because it is coming from players it could get a different response. However, we are requesting FAM to make it universal and not favour Bullets alone,” he said.

FAM established the K350 million Covid-19 Relief Fund to counter the economic effects of coronavirus which has led into suspension of the football season.

The beneficiaries include men and women football players, technical panel members and referees.