FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), have agreed that the world football governing body take over the running of the body, in the wake of corruption scandal rocking CAF.
A drastic and dramatic overhaul of African football is expected to be announced on Thursday; the eve of the kickoff of the African Cup of Nations.
The CAF executive committee took a the decision on Wednesday, to cede control of the running of the organisation. FIFA general secretary, Fatma Samoura, is expected to be appointed as “FIFA High Commissioner for Africa”, according to reports.
The continental body is yet to make announcement regarding the situation, but CAF president, Ahmad Ahmad is scheduled to hold a press conference in Cairo on Thursday.
Ahmad, who is being investigated by FIFA’s ethics body, following allegations of corruption and sexual misconduct, is said to have proposed the idea in a document shared with colleagues on the executive committee.
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,” the document read.
“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.”
FIFA are also to undertake a forensic audit of the monies they have been giving to CAF.
The idea of appointing Samoura to take charge is said to have been agreed by FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, and CAF vice president, Amaju Pinnick, in the wake of Ahmad’s brief detention by police in France last week for questioning on corruption allegations.
Ahmad, who is looking to hold onto some power, or even walk away from his post without sanction, had been forced to accept the deal, and then propose it to his own colleagues, CAF sources told Reuters.
With FIFA seeking to improve football’s image, the Ahmad controversy has come as a major embarrassment to Infantino, who has been claiming a new-look, clean and corruption-free FIFA.
Ahmad, by virtue of his position as leader of African football, is automatically a FIFA vice president.
African football has been hit, not only by the firing of CAF general secretary, Amr Fahmy, for whistle blowing, but also a walk off in the Champions League final, and the alleged assault on a referee by another of CAF’s vice presidents.
The Cup of Nations kicks off in Cairo on Friday.
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