DATED: Monday, 14th October 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SUSPENSION OF KAMUZU STADIUM USE FOR SUPER LEAGUE

AND NATIONAL COMPETITIONS MATCHES The Football Association of Malawi jointly with the Super League of Malawi haswith immediate effectsuspended the use of the Kamuzu Stadium for TNM Super League and National Cup games until further notice. This is as a result of continued acts of violence and hooliganism at the venue with the latest being on Sunday, 13th October 2013 during a TNM Super League match involving Evirom and Kamuzu Barracks. The match was abandoned in injury time due to violence by supporters for unknown reasons. This was a third violence scene at the same venue in a space of eight weeks as fans also disrupted two Carlsberg Cup matches; a quarterfinal match between Evrom and Red Lions on 23rd August and a semifinal match between Blantyre United and Kamuzu Barracks on 8th September 2013. This is happening despite FAM and Sulom making great efforts in sensitizing the fans about the evils of such acts on the development of the game in the country as well as enforcing security at football matches A lot of things were damaged at the stadium in the said events forcing FAM and Sulom to cough a lot of money in paying management of the facility to make renovations. These acts of violence have put the game of football and indeed that of FAM, Sulom and sponsors Carlsberg and TNM into disrepute. It is surprising that matches in other venues go on smoothly while at Kamuzu Stadium there are always elements of unnecessary tension caused by purely non footballing reasons. It must be noted that the violence that has erupted is being conducted in an organized manner and there is a strong suspicion of a conspiracy against army teams. This has the potential of sabotaging sponsorships that was earned the hard way and we will jealously safeguard the image of sponsors. Sponsors have stressed that their stay in the game will mainly depend on the games being violence free because they dont want their brands to be associated with violence. Therefore, FAM and Sulom will not allow seeing their efforts go down the drain because of the behavior of some disgruntled supporters who just want to dent the image of Malawi football and indeed that of the two bodies.

If these acts are unchecked, there is a danger that the fights with the army could escalate and degenerate into unprecedented proportions that this country has never witnessed. We therefore realize the need to protect the lives of fans, civilians and property, hence the suspension. Depending on the co-operation of the teams and it's fans, we will review the situation before the end of the year and decide accordingly. This suspension gives a chance to all stakeholders to go back to the drawing board and to thoroughly reflect on the ugly incidents with sober minds.

SIGNED BY: Suzgo Nyirenda General Secretary: FAM Williams Banda General Secretary: SULOM