Immediate past Malawi National Football Team coach Patrick Mabedi has taken Football Association of Malawi (Fam) to the Industrial Relations Court of Malawi, demanding about K157 million for unfair dismissal, Malawi News Sport has learnt.
Mabedi, through his lawyers Makiyi, Kanyenda and Associates, is seeking compensation for unlawful termination of contract of employment and/or breach of contract of employment.
Among others the coach seeks to be compensated for unfair and unsafe labour practices, withholding wages and fringe benefits and discrimination.
According to the notice, Mabedi’s lawyers want Fam to give him his benefits up to November 30 2025 when his contract was supposed to end having signed a two-year deal that started from November 1 2023.
The notice states that Mabedi was supposed to receive 350 litres of fuel monthly and he was entitled to VIP Insurance medical cover under Masm for a maximum of three people including the employee.
Mabedi’s lawyer David Kanyenda confirmed filing the notice but did not shed more light.
Fam fired Mabedi on October 28 following the Flames’ failure to qualify for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals (Afcon) to be held in Morocco.
However, Mabedi is challenging the decision arguing that he was unfairly dismissed.
In the two year contract, Fam allegedly tasked Mabedi to lead the Flames to the 2025 Afcon finals and win six matches in World Cup qualifiers.
However, Kanyenda said failure to attain one of the targets was not stipulated as ground or cause warranting of employees or smart dismissal under article 4.3 of the contract.
Among others the complainant challenged that Fam did not comply with his recommendations like adequate camping period and provide necessary support, facilities and resources, financial and material to enable him effectively and fully discharge his duties under the employment contract.
His lawyers further challenge that Mabedi did not fail to win Cosafa as Fam had already hired Kalisto Pasuwa to be in charge of the Malawi Under-23 National Football Team which would have represented the country at the said tournament.
However, the team did not participate due to the tragic loss of former Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others in a plane crash in the Chikangawa Forest on June 10.
On World Cup qualifying matches, Mabedi’s lawyers argue that the results cannot be attainable as Malawi had played four games against Liberia (away), Tunisia (home), Equatorial Guinea (away and Sao Tome and Principe (home).
It means the Flames won two matches against Liberia and Sao Tome and also lost two but they still had six more games to play.
Fam General Secretary Alfred Gunda acknowledged receipt of the court documents but refused to comment.
“We are in receipt and being a court issue I cannot comment,” Gunda said.
Following Mabedi’s sacking, Fam named an interim committee headed by Pasuwa.
The panel helped the Flames to collect four points from their remaining two games, having defeated Burkina Faso 3-0 and drawing against Burundi.
Mabedi is the second coach to sue Fam on unfair dismissal grounds.
Flames former coach Meck Mwase demanded K500 million for unlawful termination of contract.
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