Governing Bodies
INFANTINO UNDER FRESH PRESSURE AS SWISS ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFERS TO RESIGN OVER SECRET FIFA MEETINGS
Switzerland’s Attorney General Michael Lauber has offered his resignation following a Court decision that criticised his conduct following his handling over a investigation into alleged corruption at FIFA.
A Federal Administrative Court in Bern announced today that Lauber had committed several breaches of his official duties and lied to investigators while his office examined football’s world governing body.
Lauber has again denied that he lied but today’s development has put FIFA President Gianni Infantino under fresh scrutiny.
The Federal Administrative Court claimed that Lauber made “implausible” statements about an undisclosed meeting with Infantino in June 2017.
It added that Lauber “intentionally made a false statement” to the watchdog investigating his conduct and knowingly concealed the meeting.
“Overall, the Court finds that Attorney General Lauber committed several breaches of official duty,” the Court said.
The ruling came in response to Lauber’s appeal against being disciplined in March for misconduct over the FIFA affair.
That decision had led to an oversight panel deducting eight per cent of Lauber’s annual salary of CHF278,000 (£236,000/$302,000/€259,000) for “breach of duty”.
Lauber offered his resignation following today’s decision in a personal statement released by the Office of the Attorney General.
“I respect the judgment of the Federal Administrative Court,” he said.
“I still reject the lie in all form.
“However, if they [the Court] don’t believe me as a Federal prosecutor, it will harm the prosecutor’s office.
“I therefore offer the responsible Judicial Commission the resignation in the interest of the institutions.”
It is alleged that Lauber held undocumented meetings in 2016 and 2017 with Infantino, elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee earlier this year.
The meetings only came to light following the publication of the Football Leaks series of confidential documents in November 2018.
It remains unknown what was actually discussed at those meetings, though there has been much speculation that Infantino, elected as FIFA President in February 2016, was looking into whether there was a criminal investigation into himself and potentially interfere with other investigations into the Zurich-based governing body and its partners.
Both Lauber and Infantino claim they cannot remember what they discussed.
Lauber, the Attorney General since 2012, is already facing impeachment proceedings – the first time in Swiss history such action has been taken against someone serving in the role.
A special prosecutor is reviewing criminal complaints against him and Infantino.
Infantino has denied any wrongdoing.
If a criminal investigation is opened, however, Infantino is expected to face calls to step down as FIFA President, at least while they are investigated.
-insidethegames
The president of the Confédération of African Football, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has announced five new CAF Vice Presidents. They are:
- CAF First Vice President: Mr Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco)
- CAF Second Vice President: Mr Kurt Okraku (Ghana)
- CAF Third Vice President: Mr Pierre-Alain Mounguengui (Gabon)
- CAF Fourth Vice President: Ms Bestine Kazadi Ditabala (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- CAF Fifth Vice President: Mr Feizal Sidat (Mozambique)
In addition, the CAF President has co-opted Yacine Idriss Diallo, President of Fédération Ivoirienne de football, into the CAF Executive Committee.
The CAF Executive Committee also approved the names to fill vacant positions on several CAF Committees.
Organising Committee for the African Nations Championship (CHAN)
- President: Pierre-Alain Mounguengui (Gabon)
CAF Technical and Development Committee
- President: Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
- Vice President: Malouche Belhassen (Tunisia)
CAF Medical Committee:
- President: Dr. Mohammed Bouya (Mauritania)
- Vice President: Dr. Thulani Ngwenya (South Africa)
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Governing Bodies
Nigeria becoming an epicentre of global badminton as Francis Orbih enters the Badminton World Federation Council
Laurels on the courts and now glory in the boardroom sums up the mark that badminton is making in Nigeria.
The President, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, has been elected as a council member of the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
The election took place during the BWF Annual General Meeting on Saturday in Xiamen, China.
Orbih emerged victorious over top contenders from other African countries.
He will join Cameroon’s Odette Assembe Engoulou on the council, while Chipo Zumburani (Zimbabwe) and Hadia ElSaid (Egypt) missed out.
An elated Orbih expressed his gratitude to fellow badminton presidents across the globe for their trust and support.
He said, “I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me by my peers across the badminton world.
“I look forward to quality representation, driving development initiatives, and strengthening badminton’s global reach over the next four years.”
Orbih also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria, particularly the National Sports Commission (NSC), which he said played a significant role in his successful bid.
“The Chairman and the Director General of the NSC monitored the entire process. I’m grateful for their involvement and confident Nigeria will benefit from this,” he stated.
He further appreciated the BFN board members and the Nigerian badminton community for their prayers and continued belief in his leadership.
“From the day I declared my intentions, the board members of BFN have been supportive, and I promise not to disappoint them,” Orbih concluded.
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A former member of the FIFA Council, Mamoutou Toure, has been released from jail in Mali after almost two years in detention for alleged corruption, Malian media reports said on Wednesday.
Toure, president of the Malian Football Federation since 2019, was released after 622 days in prison on Tuesday.
He served on the FIFA Council, world football’s all-powerful decision-making body, for four years until last month when he lost his seat after failing to contest new elections.
The 67-year-old was arrested in August 2023 on allegations of embezzling $28 million of public funds but was granted a provisional release order by the Malian courts, reports said.
He was accused of misconduct during his time as the National Assembly’s financial and administrative director from 2013-2019.
Toure denied all charges and, during his time in jail, was last August re-elected as Malian Football Federation president for a second consecutive term, with his supporters claiming he was a victim of a conspiracy fuelled by detractors.
While in jail, he received a letter of support from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. However, as of last month, Toure is no longer a member of the FIFA Council or the Confederation of African Football’s executive committee.
-Reuters
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