FAM throws out Wanderers’ protest

FAM has thrown out a protest by Mighty Wanderers FC regarding the venue of this afternoon’s K20 million (about $68 000) Standard Bank Knockout Trophy insisting that it will still be staged at Silver Stadium.

The development follows a meeting the tournament’s organising committee held on Friday.

The Nomads had protested that staging the final at Silver Stadium would give their opponents (Silver Strikers) an unfair advantage.

However, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda said the issue was now a closed chapter and Wanderers had been communicated to on the meeting’s resolution.

“We have decided that the final match will still be played at Silver Stadium and to that effect, all the concerned parties, including the complainant have been communicated to,” said Nyirenda.

The issue sparked a storm of protest with the Nomads suggesting that FAM should consider shifting the match to a neutral venue, preferably Nankhaka Ground or, alternatively have it over two legs at Silver and Balaka stadiums in the spirit of fair play.

The Nomads, through their general secretary David Kanyenda, further suggested that FAM should consider postponing the final so that it could be played at Civo Stadium on October 20.

The Nomads on Friday gave in to FAM’s decision and their team manager Chiyembekezo Zidana said they would still play at Silver.