Silver Strikers chairperson McDonald Mafuta-Mwale has said he now appreciates that FAM secretariat staff work.
Mafuta-Mwale said the sudden change of heart came after being enlightened during Saturday’s Club Licensing System (CLS) workshop the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) hosted at Chiwembe Technical Centre in Blantyre.
“For the first time, I have appreciated FAM has information. There couldn’t have been chaos in players’ transfers if this piece of information were shared. It was long overdue. I was even angry why it has taken this long. I have really appreciated that they work,” said Mwale who is a fierce critic of the association and its affiliate Super League of Malawi (Sulom).
The meeting revealed that most chairpersons and general secretaries lack basic football knowledge, especially on players’ status and contract issues.
Some admitted they were hearing for the first time that a player who decides to quit football remains attached to his last club and must stay for 18 months before they can be declared as a free agent.
FAM transfer matching system manager Casper Jangale told the officials that they are not supposed to pay transfer fees for players aged 23 and below but rather just training compensation of around K800 000 (US$1965.6) and below. The meeting also set a K3 million (US$7 371) domestic transfer fee cap.
Civo United general secretary Rashid Ntelela and Kamuzu Barracks publicist and legal adviser captain Gilbert Mittawa said implementation of the agreed resolutions would determine whether the workshop was a success.
The meeting also resolved that no unlicensed club or player should be allowed to play from the season starting on April 19 2014.
Jangale has also promised to hold more sensitisation meetings across the regions before the season starts.
