BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Fleetwood Haiya has issued a legal demand against former FAM president Walter Nyamilandu, accusing him of making defamatory remarks following the association’s presidential election.

Haiya, through his lawyers Blackstone Chambers, is demanding K200 million in damages, a public apology and the removal of statements allegedly made on the Face2Face sports platform on January 5.

According to the demand letter, the remarks allegedly implied that Haiya won the FAM presidency through fraudulent means.

Haiya’s legal team argues that the statements have damaged his reputation and questioned his integrity as the head of Malawi’s football governing body.

The lawyers have given Nyamilandu seven days to comply with the demands, failing which further legal action may be taken.

The dispute follows the FAM elective general assembly held on December 16, 2023, where Haiya emerged victorious in the presidential race in Mzuzu.

Haiya defeated Nyamilandu by 23 votes to 13, bringing an end to Nyamilandu’s long tenure at the helm of the association.

Nyamilandu had served as FAM president for 19 years, making the election one of the most significant leadership transitions in Malawian football.

The legal action relates to comments allegedly made after the election, which Haiya says undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process.

The matter has attracted attention within football circles due to the senior positions previously held by both individuals.

By the time of publication, Nyamilandu had not responded to the allegations or the legal demand.