Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has turned down a request by top-flight clubs for a meeting to raise their concerns ahead of the 2020/21 season kick-off.
On October 8, the 16 flagship league clubs wrote Sulom requesting for a meeting to, among other things, seek clarification on the prohibition of supporters’ entry into stadia once the league starts; management of Fifa Covid-19 relief funds and piecemeal disbursement on the same.
In the letter, the clubs claimed that the request was within their rights and in line with Section 12 (2) of the Sulom constitution which partly states that: “The executive committee might also convene an affiliates’ meeting if more than 50 percent of the affiliates make such request in writing. The request shall specify the items for the agenda.”
However, Sulom’s response dated October 10 2020, signed by Sulom general secretary Williams Banda, which The Nation has seen, partly reads: “As you may be aware, the right under Article 12 (2) can be invoked if the request is made by more than 50 percent of the affiliates.
“We wish to inform you that we are unable to verify if the provisions of Article 12 (2) have been complied with as there are no signatures or any identification of the affiliates on the purported request.
“The request just shows ‘signed’, which as you would agree, is very unconventional and against the spirit of Article 12 (2). You will, therefore, agree that on the above premises, the purported request is erroneous and irregular; hence, against the letter and sprit of Article 12 (2).”
Sulom also states that some of the agenda items raised by the clubs were already addressed during the Football Association of Malawi/Sulom meeting.
“Our suspicion, therefore, is that either the request is ill-conceived or the author is not aware that the issues were already addressed,” the letter further reads.
Sulom also states that it has organised a Covid-19 training to be held tomorrow where any updates and clarifications on the commencement of the league will be discussed.
One of the club officials said they are disappointed with Sulom’s stand.
“We will discuss through our WhatsApp group forum and map the way forward, but their [Sulom] response has put us off. This is very unfair,” he said.
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