Malawi FA warns clubs on hooliganism: Losing sponsorship
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has warned football fans and clubs against hooliganism in cup and league games in the country.
FAM General Secretary Suzgo Nyirenda issued the stark warning on Wednesday during the re-launch of Donnas Eggs Women’s Football Cup which has been raised from K1.5 million to K8 million after being extended to Central and Northern Regions besides the Southern Region.
Nyirenda said the association would take tough measures for those who would incite or perpetrate acts of violence in the course of any football match.
“We are going to be tough on hooliganism. A lot of sponsors are intending to run away from football,” Nyirenda said.
“We have a competitions officer now [Gomezani Zakazaka] where all clubs should make sure to get rules and regulations from him so that ignorance should not be used as an excuse.”
He said some incidents of violence are perpetrated by club officials who are supposed to lead by example.
“We know some officials are on the forefront inciting violence instead of controlling their fans,” he said.
“We know you and we will deal with you.”
The development comes barely two months after a football supporter for Mighty Wanderers died in acts of one of Malawi’s worst cases of violence in history at Balaka Stadium during a Super League game against Silver Strikers.
TNM, sponsors of the Malawi’s flagship football league, have indicated their intention to withdraw sponsorship by offering to sponsor in athletics in a long term deal.
