Police Nab 15 Over Charity Shield Revenue Fraud

By Antony Isaiah Jr………

The Football Association of Malawi has announced that 15 people have been arrested by the police on suspicion of gate revenue fraud during the Charity Shield Cup game.

The football governing body said the game between FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers raked in MK20.351 Million but publicly admitted that there were some incidences that were reported which lead to revenue leakage.

“The Malawi Police Services (MPS) apprehended 15 suspects who are currently being interrogated. We hope that the law will take its course and MPS will keep updating us accordingly,” reads the Association’s press release in part.

Football pundit Charles Nyirenda through his Facebook page said the amount of money that the association announced did not reflect the true reflection of the patronage.

“Football Association of Malawi can’t stop disgracing itself for once,” said Nyirenda.

He said that the match was well patronized to approximately 2/3 capacity which translates to around 26,000 spectators, an amount in the neighborhood of MK50 million would have made more sense but not MK20.3million.

“Some people are arguing that they saw many people entering free of charge, well that too can’t explain the gross discrepancy. Let’s for argument sake estimate that 2000 people went in without paying, that amounts to MK4million only and at least a minimum of 20,000 people coughed something, which means that the 40,000 capacity arena was half full.

“As such the figure would have been around MK40million. If on the other hand only 15,000 people paid, we could have been mentioning MK30million. What FAM have done on this match is despicable and there can be no excuse about the inexcusable dishonesty that has taken place. Shame on the FA establishment.

“Infact there is now a pattern of suspicious security breaches that are so common when FAM organize matches at Bingu Stadium. Why are they so consistent without any serious measure being taken to address the problem? Why, why, why?

“At a time when confidence in the administration is already at an all time Low, such things only help to erode further any figment of public faith left in the organization,” added Grandmaster.

FAM, in collaboration with its technical implementing partner Red Cross Malawi, is now embarking on necessary logistics and processes for the identification and procurement of the required items.

Part of our support will also extend to football stakeholders who were affected by Cyclone Freddy and football legends who are struggling.

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets managed to retain the Cup after beating their sworn rivals, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers 2-1 at Bingu National Stadium.