FAM tells Tom to tone down

FAM has told Flames coach Tom Saintfiet to be careful with the way he deals with the media to avoid unnecessary confrontation.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu also said they are aware that the hiring of the Belgian tactician has created mixed reactions.

“We have advised him to understand the culture and tone down in dealing with the media, and, more importantly, focus on his work.

“As a person, there are things you can change, but there are others you cannot and he has to understand that,” said Nyamilandu.

The FAM president said while Saintfiet is trying to establish a good working relationship with the media, the two parties do not understand each other.

“He wants to create a good rapport with the media, but perhaps the problem is that he is coming across as arrogant and, therefore, it is the approach that he has taken that is being misconstrued,” said Nyamilandu.

He further said having held a press briefing in the capital, Lilongwe, Saintfiet would also like to address another one in Blantyre in a bid to clear any misunderstandings that might be there.

However, Nyamilandu said despite the skepticism from certain quarters, they stand by their decision to hire Saintfiet, saying: “He just needs to prove a point and the ball is in his court.”

Efforts to get a comment from Saintfiet on Wednesday proved futile.

But in an interview with MBC earlier this week, Saintfiet accused some journalists of writing propaganda against him.

However, Sports Writers Association of Malawi (Swam) general secretary Frank Kandu shared Nyamilandu’s view that there is an element of arrogance in the way Saintfiet is dealing with the media.

“Judging from his comments, one can actually see that there is an element of arrogance. A good example was the interview he gave at the weekend to the extent that the local media don’t follow football.

“As journalists, we are the eyes of the public and he should expect criticism wherever necessary,” said Kandu.

Meanwhile, FAM has said Saintfiet is yet to sign his short-term contract because Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) authorities are in Lilongwe.

“He hasn’t been officially introduced to Sports Council. We were due to meet them yesterday, but the authorities are in Lilongwe.

“So, we have postponed it to next week, but the issues are clear-cut and these are meeting terms and conditions which are meeting the costs of his travel and accommodation and he needs to be formally introduced to Sports Council since they are the paymasters,” he said.