FIFA warns Malawi ahead of FAM elections

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) will have new office-bearers after an election scheduled for tomorrow.

Delegates will elect FAM’s new president, first and second vice presidents, and other executive members.

FIFA has since advised the country on several principles that should be strictly observed, including the main role of the FAM Electoral Committee.

In a letter signed by FIFA’s chief member associations officer, Kenny Jean Marie, Malawi has also been told to conduct the elections independently.

“For the sake of good order, we would like to remind the concerned members of the bodies of FAM and all football stakeholders in Malawi that, in accordance with article 14 paragraphs 1 and 19 of the FIFA Statutes, all FIFA member associations, including FAM, are obliged to manage their affairs independently and without undue influence from any third party.

“In addition, according to Act 19 paragraph 2 of the FIFA statutes, FIFA member associations have the obligation to apply a fair and democratic procedure that guarantees the complete independence of the elections of appointments,” reads the letter in part.

Government official accused of taking sides

The letter comes barely a week after some sections accused chief government spokesperson Moses Kunkuyu of indirectly endorsing Fleetwood Haiya who is challenging incumbent president Walter Nyamilandu, who has been the president for 19 years.

Kunkuyu, who was the guest of honor during Haiya’s manifesto launch, urged affiliates to vote wisely so that Malawi football could take the right path.

He also said there is no life president in football, just like there is no life footballer, a message that others thought the minister was endorsing Haiya.

But Kunkuyu denied the accusations: “Both Walter and Fleetwood are my friends; if you listen to my speech, it is clear that I was not endorsing Haiya.”