CAF orders FAM to refund Chad $20 000
The continent’s football governing body Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ordered FAM to reimburse $20 000 (about K5.5 million) to Chad, which the team spent on food and accommodation at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre last week when it came for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda on Tuesday said the order was made by David Fani who was the match commissioner.
Initially, FAM booked the Chadians at Alexander Shire Highlands Hotel in Limbe, but they left the hotel a day after their arrival, saying they were not satisfied with the standard and opted for Sunbird Mount Soche.
However, FAM refused to pay for Chad’s expenses at Sunbird Mount Soche, arguing that Chad changed hotels without their consent.
“After inspecting Shire Highlands Hotel after the match, the match commissioner ordered us to refund the money that the Chadians paid at Sunbird Mount Soche.
“We have, therefore, agreed to foot the bill as ordered by CAF,” said Nyirenda.
FAM paid about K400 000 ($1 600) for Chad’s one-day stay at Shire Highlands.
The Flames also refused to stay at Santana Hotel they were initially booked at in Chad when they went for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations decisive qualifier in October last year, claiming that it was substandard. In turn the Flames moved to five-star Kempinski Hotel
CAF then ordered the Chad FA to refund the money the Flames spent on the five-star hotel.
