March 17 – Just 24 hours after Africa’s regional congress voted in Ahmad Ahmad as its new leader, one of those countries who voted, Mali, has been kicked out of FIFA with immediate effect due to government interference in its national FA.
Mali Sports Minister Housseini Amion Guindo had installed an interim committee to lead the federation (Femafoot) until a new board is elected. But FIFA warned that unless this was revoked, it would take action.
In a statement, FIFA said: “The decision (to suspend) was prompted by the actions of the Sports Minister of Mali, Mr Housseïni Amion Guindo, who decided to dissolve the executive committee of FEMAFOOT and appoint a provisional committee mandated to run the association and to facilitate the election of a new executive committee within twelve months, despite an earlier clarification from FIFA that FEMAFOOT is obliged… to manage its affairs independently and with no influence from third parties.”
FIFA said the suspension would be lifted once these decisions had been cancelled and the previous committee members reinstated.
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