Walter, critics clash over Fifa Council position

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu has hit back at critics undermining his Fifa Council membership as being irrelevant to the country’s football development.

Launching his fifth term bid earlier this month, Nyamilandu said being part of the world governing football body makes him the right candidate ahead of the  December elections.

But his critics argued that the position has nothing to do with Malawi football.

In a statement issued on Thursday Nyamilandu’s media liaison officer Kandani Ngwira, described the critics’ views as unfair.

“It is ludicrous to suggest that Fifa would institute such a high office of distinguished football administrators just for personal gains,” it reads in part.

“That is a very reckless and disrespectful statement both to Fifa and to the members of the council.”

Ngwira insisted that Nyamilandu, being part of the Fifa decision-making body, gives Malawi an advantage.

“The Fifa Council membership position gives him leverage to serve and improve football in Malawi because through this position, he can connect with individuals and institutions that can influence and give resources and knowledge to improve our football,” the statement further reads.

But football analyst George Chiusiwa said Malawi would still benefit from Fifa if he was not the council’s member.

“He is only playing around with the truth. We benefit from Fifa projects because we are a member of the global body.

“What he has done for Malawi football in the 15 years was before he went to Fifa,” he said.

Chiusiwa insisted that the FIfa Council membership has nothing to do with Malawi.

“He is a Fifa council member and responsible for steering the global game. He isn’t representing Malawi at that level. If anything Malawi has its voice at the Fifa congress,” he stated.

Nyamilandu was elected to the Fifa Council last year representing Africa’s Anglophone region. The council is the main decision-making body of global soccer’s governing organisation, with members drawn from each of soccer’s regional confederations.