By Rahim Abdul
The long-running dispute between the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and former Flames coach Patrick Mabedi has ended with the Industrial Relations Court ordering the football governing body to pay him MK53.7 million in compensation for unfair dismissal.
The ruling, delivered by Deputy Chairperson Wyson Chamdimba Nkhata at the court’s Principal Registry in Limbe, found that FAM failed to follow proper employment procedures when terminating Mabedi’s contract in October 2024.
While Mabedi had sought more than MK917 million in compensation and benefits, the court awarded him MK53,686,500 after determining that only part of his claim was legally justified.
The former Flames mentor was appointed in November 2023 on a two-year contract and was expected to spearhead Malawi’s football revival. However, a series of unsatisfactory results led to mounting criticism and ultimately his dismissal before completing a year in charge.
According to court findings, FAM cited poor performance as the reason for terminating Mabedi’s contract on 29 October 2024. However, judges concluded that the association did not observe the necessary disciplinary procedures before taking the decision.
Mabedi successfully argued that he was never formally charged, summoned to a disciplinary hearing or given an opportunity to respond to concerns regarding his performance before being dismissed.
The court had already ruled on 9 March 2026 that the dismissal amounted to unfair termination and constituted unfair labour practices, leaving only the issue of compensation to be determined.
In calculating the award, the court considered Mabedi’s monthly remuneration package at MK10.7 million, which included his net salary and the monetary value of a fuel allocation provided under his contract.
The compensation package includes MK32.2 million for unfair dismissal, representing three months’ pay, and an additional MK21.4 million for unfair labour practices.
However, the court rejected several claims contained in Mabedi’s original suit, including demands linked to vehicle benefits, air travel allowances, bonuses, gratuity payments, medical cover and other contractual perks.
The judges ruled that some of the benefits were not adequately supported by evidence, while others related to future entitlements that could not be claimed after the premature termination of the contract.
The judgement now places FAM under pressure to settle the compensation within seven days, although both the association and Mabedi retain the right to appeal the ruling within 30 days from 25 May 2026.
