The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been banned from all football related activities for five years by the sport’s world governing body.
By Abdourahmane Diallo
Ahmad Ahmad has violated the Code of Ethics of the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) according to the adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Commission of the world football governing body.
The Malagasy was a candidate for re-election as CAF president but his ban by FIFA has scuppered his ambition for another term.
The decision by FIFA to ban him follows a long hearing over alleged misconduct while in office.
FIFA says it has established, on the basis of information gathered by the investigating chamber, that the Malagasy national had failed in his duty, granted gifts and other benefits, inappropriately managed funds and abused his office as CAF president.
Consequently, FIFA said it is slapping a ban on him at national and international levels of the sport.
In addition, Ahmad will have to pay a fine of 185,000 euros.
The investigation into Mr. Ahmad’s conduct between 2017 and 2019 focused on issues related to the governance of CAF – the organization and funding of a pilgrimage to Mecca (Umrah) – his connections with Tactical Steel company, sports equipment deals and other activities, a statement on FIFA’s website said.
The Malagasy national was taken into police custody in France on suspicion of corruption in June 2019.
Four months before the election of CFA president, the game of musical chairs has moved on without him.
Jacques Anouma of Cote d’Ivoire, South African Patrice Motsepe, Ahmed Ould Yahya of Mauritania and Augustin Senghor of Senegal have already submitted their bids to replace Ahmad as the most powerful man in African football.
ARD/id/cgd/fss/as/APA