Global governing body Fifa is expected to take over the running of soccer in Africa in the wake of the major governance issues that have embroiled the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the sport’s largest regional confederation.
The CAF executive committee took a decision on Wednesday to cede control of the running of the organisation and alongside soccer’s global governing body is now considering parachuting in Fifa general secretary Fatma Samoura as a High Commissioner for Africa.
If approved, the proposal would see Samoura take charge for at least six months from 1st August.
The move was put forward by CAF’s beleaguered president Ahmad Ahmad, who is being investigated by Fifa’s ethics committee after allegations of corruption and sexual misconduct. The 59-year-old was also questioned by French authorities earlier this month, but was released without charge and has dismissed all allegations against him as “false”.
CAF was also recently in the spotlight when this month’s African Champions League final, the continent’s flagship club soccer game, was overshadowed by a boycott by one of the teams following the failure of the video assistant referee (VAR) system. A decision to replay the fixture has led to even more uproar.
There has also been controversy over the rescheduling of the 2019, 2021 and 2023 African Cup of Nations (Afcon). This year’s edition of the national team tournament, which starts on Friday, is being hosted by Egypt after Cameroon was stripped of staging the event. Cameroon is now slated to welcome the 2021 edition of the competition, with the Ivory Coast being forced to make way and host the tournament in 2023 instead.
It has been reported that the idea of sending Samoura to Africa was put together by Fifa president Gianni Infantino and CAF vice president Amaju Pinnick following Ahmad’s arrest in Paris.
According to the BBC, any decision has to be finalised by the time the CAF Congress meets in Cairo on 18th July.
A leaked internal document relating to the matter seen by Reuters said Samoura will lead a Fifa team that will conduct ‘a root-and-branch review of governance of the confederation, oversee operational management of the organisation, and recommend where needed a series of reform efforts.’
Adding: ‘This will be done in order to put CAF itself on a modern and sound footing, improve its image and reputation and thus ensure that CAF is better equipped to face future challenges and to grasp future opportunities.’
The news has significantly overshadowed the start of the 2019 Afcon, which kicks off on Friday with a game between hosts Egypt and Zimbabwe.
Global governing body Fifa is expected to take over the running of soccer in Africa in the wake of the major governance issues that have embroiled the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the sport’s largest regional confederation.
The CAF executive committee took a decision on Wednesday to cede control of the running of the organisation and alongside soccer’s global governing body is now considering parachuting in Fifa general secretary Fatma Samoura as a High Commissioner for Africa.
If approved, the proposal would see Samoura take charge for at least six months from 1st August.
The move was put forward by CAF’s beleaguered president Ahmad Ahmad, who is being investigated by Fifa’s ethics committee after allegations of corruption and sexual misconduct. The 59-year-old was also questioned by French authorities earlier this month, but was released without charge and has dismissed all allegations against him as “false”.
CAF was also recently in the spotlight when this month’s African Champions League final, the continent’s flagship club soccer game, was overshadowed by a boycott by one of the teams following the failure of the video assistant referee (VAR) system. A decision to replay the fixture has led to even more uproar.
There has also been controversy over the rescheduling of the 2019, 2021 and 2023 African Cup of Nations (Afcon). This year’s edition of the national team tournament, which starts on Friday, is being hosted by Egypt after Cameroon was stripped of staging the event. Cameroon is now slated to welcome the 2021 edition of the competition, with the Ivory Coast being forced to make way and host the tournament in 2023 instead.
It has been reported that the idea of sending Samoura to Africa was put together by Fifa president Gianni Infantino and CAF vice president Amaju Pinnick following Ahmad’s arrest in Paris.
According to the BBC, any decision has to be finalised by the time the CAF Congress meets in Cairo on 18th July.
A leaked internal document relating to the matter seen by Reuters said Samoura will lead a Fifa team that will conduct ‘a root-and-branch review of governance of the confederation, oversee operational management of the organisation, and recommend where needed a series of reform efforts.’
Adding: ‘This will be done in order to put CAF itself on a modern and sound footing, improve its image and reputation and thus ensure that CAF is better equipped to face future challenges and to grasp future opportunities.’
The news has significantly overshadowed the start of the 2019 Afcon, which kicks off on Friday with a game between hosts Egypt and Zimbabwe.
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