Football Association of Malawi on Monday morning released the 17-paged verdict of the most-wanted striker, Promise Kamwendo’s transfer saga after a long wait. It was a case worth waiting for as a thorough investigation was needed before the Association made the decision.
The Coram of the hearing team consisted of Daud Mtanthiko,, who was the Chairperson, Counsel Khumbizeni Dossi, Counsel Kolezi Phir, i, and Davis Sado as members.
The Players’ Status Committee (PSC) completed the hearing of the case on August 20, and the parties involved were assured of being served with judgment in seven days. However, other circumstances impeded the PSC from walking their talks, and instead,, it took two weeks and four days to do it.
In August, during the mid-season transfer window, Kamwendo signed a three-year contract with Mighty Mukuru Wanderers after he had already agreed to personal terms with FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.
The People’s team had already paid Kamwendo’s transfer fee to Dedza Dynamos FC, amounting to MK3 Million, but on his unveiling day, he changed direction and joined the rival camp.
Bullets acted swiftly as they lodged a complaint to FAM asking for the suspension of the player’s registration with Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.
In their petition, Bullets demanded that the declaration should be made that the contract between Wanderers and Kamwendo was invalid, declaration should be made that they [Bullets] followed the right procedure in engaging Kamwendo’s former club Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos FC, before engaging the player.
Bullets were also demanding that the player be their employee, and they wanted FAM to declare that Kamwendo’s move to Wanderers was invalid saying the conduct of all the Respondents border on theft, fraud, deceit and dishonesty and the same should be condemned by FAM by ordering both the player and Wanderers to pay the fine to the Football Association of Malawi.
Alternatively, Bullets wanted a declaration that if Kamwendo did not want to work and play for them, then Dedza Dynamos FC should immediately pay the sum of K3,000,000.00 (Three million kwacha).
They also wanted Wanderers to pay K3,000,000.00 (three million kwacha) being exemplary damages payable for bringing the game of football into disrepute.
Responding to Bullets’ petition, Wanderers denied all the allegations, and they were demanding Fifty Million Kwacha damages for bringing the game of football into disrepute, Fifty Million Kwacha damages for attempting to induce a breach of contract between the player and Mighty Mukuru Wanders FC Limited.
The Nomads were also demanding Fifty Million Kwacha being damages for loss of use of the player’s
services and Fifty Million Kwacha damages for pain, suffering, inconvenience, and stress endured by the 4th respondent’s Team Manager, Mr Steven Madeira, for being summoned and detained at Blantyre Police Station at the instance of the employee agents and/or servants of Bullets, Fifty Million Kwacha damages for violation and denial of the right to work.
Releasing the judgment, PSC has communicated that the player should return to Dedza as his move to Wanderers was illegal and slapped Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Dedza Dynamos with fines.
“The existing contract between the Dedza Dynamos and Promise Kamwendo is still running. Kamwendo remains contracted to Dedza and must return to the club immediately” reads part of the statement
The player has also been ordered to refund the money amounting to K6,000,000 paid to him by Wanderers.
PSC said the Petition of Big Bullets and the cross-petition of Mighty Wanderers this far are partially successful. Any further declarations contained in the petition were dismissed.
Why Dedza, Wanderers were fined
The Football Association of Malawi has slapped Mighty Mukuru Wanderers with an MK4 Million fine, saying it was imperative to address a serious violation in the matter.
The 4th respondent [Wanderers], fully aware of the regulations governing player transfers and contracts, knowingly entered into a contract with the 3rd [Kamwendo] respondent despite the absence of an agreement with the 1st respondent [Dedza Dynamos].
“This action represents a blatant and egregious breach of the rules, which are designed to maintain order and prevent such conflicts. The 4th respondent’s [Wanderers] disregard for these regulations is both alarming and unacceptable.
“Actions of this nature, akin to those of the 1st respondent [Dedza], tarnish the integrity of the game of football. Consequently, in response to this serious infraction, the committee
imposes a fine of K4,000,000 on the 4th respondent [Wanderers],” adds the verdict.
Dedza Dynamos has been fined MK3 Million to FAM for bringing the game of football into disrepute for being the primary cause of the conflict between Bullets and Wanderers regarding the transfer of the player.
“It is particularly perplexing that the 1st respondent [Dedza Dynamos] accepted payment from the Petitioner [Bullets], only to provide banking details to the 4th
respondent [Wanderers] two days later and subsequently accepted a payment from them for the same player, a situation for which they had already received compensation.
“This behavior confounds the committee and is absolutely a conduct that should not be tolerated. Such conduct has brought the integrity of football into serious disrepute,” adds the petition.
FAM has asked the parties to challenge the verdict within three days from 8th September 2024.
Meanwhile, Dedza Dynamos Chief Executive Officer Frella Chimango Kulemero said the Club has learned the judgment with shock, but they will take time before making the decision.
On their part, both FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Chief Executive Officers Albert Chigoga and Panganeni Ndovi, respectively, said they are still digesting the verdict, and they will announce their stances.
