Governing Bodies

CAF joins FIFA in condemning arrest of Kenya FA boss

Published

3 years ago

November 14, 2021

The dissolution and consequent setting up of a caretaker committee for the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) as well as the arrest of the FKF president, Nick Mwendwa, has been condemned by CAF and FIFA.

Kenya sports minister, Amina Mohamed last week created a 27-person caretaker committee to run the FKF.

But FIFA disapproves of governmental interference in the running of a member association and has banned countries from all forms of football as a result in the past.

“In order to preserve the sport of football, I have decided to appoint a[n] FKF caretaker committee for a period of six months,” Mohamed said in a statement.

***Dr Amina Mohamed said the FKF had failed to account for monies allocated to it by the government***

“The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage shall facilitate the operations of the caretaker committee.”

One of the stated aims of the committee is to “hand over FKF to newly-elected officials after a successful election”.

CAF in a media release on Sunday noted with concern reports in Kenya media on the developments in that country including the alleged arrest of Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa.

“In addition, CAF has also noted the letter from FIFA to the Government authorities in Kenya on the concerns regarding the independence of the Football Kenya Federation highlighted in recent weeks.

“CAF supports the position of FIFA on the matter and will avail itself to meet relevant stakeholders in Kenya to discuss solutions to the current impasse in this regard.

“CAF is deeply concerned about the situation and the manner in which the situation is unfolding and notes all the allegations that have been made.

“CAF is committed to good governance in African football administration.

At this stage, we will not make any further comments until we have full understanding of the entire picture. CAF together with FIFA are monitoring the situation.”

Governing Bodies

CAF General Secretary Mosengo-Omba cleared of fraud allegations

Published

3 days ago

January 23, 2025

Kunle Solaja

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Thursday that the Swiss Public Prosecutor’s Office will not initiate legal proceedings against CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba after finding no basis to do so.

Mosengo-Omba had been under investigation for alleged suspicious payments involving Swiss bank accounts, as disclosed last September by the Federal Criminal Court of Switzerland.

He denied any wrongdoing and met with the Swiss Public Prosecutor’s Office in November to answer questions relating to the preliminary investigation.

“CAF welcomes the decision of the Swiss Public Prosecutor’s Office and is pleased that there continues to be adherence and compliance within CAF and the CAF Secretariat, with the culture and commitment to ethics, transparency and governance that was introduced since the Presidency of Dr Patrice Motsepe,” CAF said in a statement.

Mosengo-Omba formerly worked at FIFA before taking over as CAF’s general secretary four years ago.

-Reuters

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Governing Bodies

Presidents of IOC and FIFA hail Trump

Published

6 days ago

January 20, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Gianni Infantino with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida ahead of Trump's upcoming inauguration.

As Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated as the United States President this Monday, leaders of sports bodies whose events are slated for the US in the next four years have heaped praises on the returning president.

United States will host an expanded FIFA Club World Cup this year and will be co-hosts of the World Cup in 2026 as well as the Olympic Games in 2028 in Los Angeles.

Ahead of Trump’s inauguration, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach has hailed the American as a “sports fan at heart.”

This came out of a statement he made to the German Press Agency (DPA).

Bach declared that despite political tensions and the fires in California, the 2026 World Cup as well as the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games are assured.

The Olympic leader highlighted that Donald Trump “was involved in the bidding phase of both events, campaigning in one way or another in favour of the World Cup and the Los Angeles 2028 Games. That’s why I’m sure he will support them.”

Similarly, the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino has hailed Trump. Sports Village Square gathered from the FIFA President’s Instagram handle that Infantino visited Trump as president-elect at Mar-a-Lago in Florida ahead of his upcoming inauguration.

“We discussed this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup and the FIFA World Cup in 2026 – two truly global tournaments which the United States will play a key role in hosting.
“Thank you Mr President for your time and for supporting FIFA over the coming months. America welcomes the World and Football Unites The World”, Infantino wrote.

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Governing Bodies

Morocco gets headquarters for CAF’s African Clubs Association

Published

1 week ago

January 19, 2025

Kunle Solaja

The African Clubs Association formed in 2023 will have its headquarters in Morocco.

The kingdom beat other bids from Algeria and other African nations. Facilities in Morocco and the country’s organisational standards may have given Morocco the edge.

An official memorandum of understanding will be signed next week on Monday during the draw ceremony for the African Cup of Nations, which Morocco will host.

The establishment of the association’s headquarters in Morocco represents a pivotal moment for African football, aimed at fostering cooperation among clubs across the continent and advancing the sport’s infrastructure and governance.

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