FAM U-turns on surety money hike

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has shelved plans to increase TNM Super League cubs’ surety money from K1 million to K2 million.

FAM introduced the K1 million surety  under club licencing system as a commitment that clubs will fulfil their fixtures.

Last month, club licencing manager Casper Jangale announced that the money had been increased to K2 million.

But FAM president Walter Nyamilandu yesterday said the executive committee meeting held in Mzuzu this month decided against the decision because “it did not follow due procedure”.

Apparently, the secretariat announced the increment without the executive’s approval, he said.

Nyamilandu also said they had decided that the K1 million surety should be refunded to clubs at the end of the first round.

Initially, it was agreed that the money should be refunded at the end of the season.

“It doesn’t make sense for the money to lie idle at FAM the whole season,” said Nyamilandu.

The development is a relief to TNM Super League clubs who were protesting the increment.

Clubs have since welcomed the decision to scrap off plans to increase the surety money.

“It was actually very unusual for FAM to increase the surety money without notice or any explanation on the reason behind the move,” said Silver Strikers general secretary Thabo Chakaka-Nyirenda.

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) also hailed FAM for the gesture, saying parting away with K2 million was hush fro clubs.

“You know that our clubs are struggling financially and increasing the surety money to K2 million was a bit unfair,” said Sulom general secretary Williams Banda.

FAM is also yet to refund the K1 million clubs paid in the 2017 season. n