The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has lodged a written complaint to Fifa over security concerns in Calabar where the Flames are scheduled to play Nigeria in the World Cup Qualifiers encounter.
The second complaint is protesting on the appointment of match referee by questioning the decision of early disclosure of the match officials.
The Press Release communicated Sunday, August 11, 2013 and signed by Fam General Secretary, Sugzo Nyirenda was headlined, “Protest to Fifa over Security in Calabar and Appointment of Match Referee-2014 World Cup Group Match- Nigeria vs. Malawi.
“FAM has on 7th August written Fifa General Secretary complaining on the above matters relating to the match between Malawi and Nigeria on September 7, 2013,” reads the first paragraph.
On security concerns, Fam states that there is security risk in Calabar where the match will be played as reported by the Commonwealth Commission.
It said the venue of the match is risky to Malawi’s delegation and they have asked Fifa to shift the match to Abuja or to a neutral country where visiting delegation will be safe.
“Calabar has been flagged as a high risk security area and this alert cannot be taken lightly. Our Minister of Sports will be part of the traveling delegation and we don’t want to take security risks by traveling to Calabar,” it reads.
On the appointment of referees, FAM said the track record of the appointed referee (Hamada el Moussa Nampiandraza) with Malawi and his performance at the 2013 Afcon was not good and we also question the decision of early disclosure of the match officials.
“FAM would like to register this protest with your office so that Fifa can intervene urgently and advise on the matters accordingly. As such FAM seeks your intervention and assistance in the matters highlighted above,” reads the last paragraph.
Source: Malawi News.
