FAM refers match fixing concerns to ACB for investigations

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says it will refer for investigations to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) allegations of corruption and match fixing in Malawi football as alleged by suspended referee Arthur Chilimba.

Chilimba who was slapped with three-year ban for soliciting funds has been in the news this week for stating he would hold a media briefing meant to reveal culprits of match fixing.

But FAM has in a statement said it held a meeting with the referee yesterday where he presented the claims.

‘’FAM is concerned with the allegations of corruption and match fixing practices and it condemns such malpractices in the strongest sense because they are a threat to the integrity of the beautiful game. Following the tip that has been made available, FAM is determined to get to the bottom of the matter by using appropriate channels.’’ Reads the statement signed by General Secretary for the FA, Alfred Gunda.

‘’Corruption is criminal in nature, and therefore FAM will refer the matter to ACB, which is the competent body with powers to investigate matters of this nature. In this regard, FAM will take advantage of the long-standing collaboration it has with ACB on corruption and match fixing which dates back to 2012, to probe the matter. FAM further commits to ACB to provide all the necessary support to make the exercise successful.’’ said Gunda in the statement.

Meanwhile, according to Gunda, in an attempt to address the current problems with match officiating, FAM will through its Referees Standing Committee embark on an exercise to review its internal processes and systems in order to improve the status quo.

Ironically, FAM is on record to have argued that it is a standalone body, free from ACB interrogation.

The country’s football governing body has also been making headlines for wrong reasons, mostly corruption matters.

Maneno Chimulala

I am a journalist, educator, and activist with passion for telling stories about social justice, sports and political issues. I graduated from Mzuzu University. I started my career at the Maravi Post online publication in 2012 as an intern while in college. Upon graduating from Mzuzu University I was offered a job as Sports Reporter because of my background as a goalkeeper and rose to the position of sub editor. I also had a short stint with Nyasatimes, Malawi Punch and Malawi Digest. Over the past seven years, I have worked intimately with rural organizations and communities in Malawi on human rights, girl child education and grassroots development projects. With an academic background in education, I also volunteer as male champion for girls’ education under Girls Empowerment Networks (GENET) in Malawi’s South West Education Division (SWED).