Nigeria push FIFA to the limits over political meddling, CAF bans matchfixing ref
May 1 – FIFA have warned Nigeria that they could be kicked out of the World Cup if they don’t sort out their internal affairs.
Africa
FIFA reform guru and Congo FA boss Omari released on bail over $1m embezzlement probe
By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – Constant Omari, the Democratic Republic of Congo football association president and one-time FIFA reform official arrested as part of an embezzlement probe in his country, has been released on bail for health reasons after being held for 21 hours.
FIFA Council member and Congo FA chief Omari arrested on corruption allegations
By Paul Nicholson
April 18 – Police in Congo have swooped to arrest DR Congo Football Association (Fecofa) president Constant Omari along with two Fecofa vice presidents, Roger Bondembe (finance director) and Theobad Binamungu (national team manager), Their detention comes as part of a corruption investigation looking at embezzlement of government and football funds.
Liberia in limbo as court order stops presidential election after first vote
By Paul Nicholson
April 16 – The election for the new president of the Liberian FA (LFA) at its 34th Annual Congress was dramatically suspended at the weekend after the first round of voting when a court order was issued questioning the eligibility of Musa Shannon, already a serving LFA vice president.
Samoura steps in at Liberian FA demanding report on allegations of election abuses
By Paul Nicholson
April 9 – FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura has stepped into to the Liberian FA (LFA) election dispute asking general secretary Emmanuel Deah for a report on the allegations of rule breaking. Samoura has asked for the report to be delivered by April 9.
Liberian FA whistleblower Woodson says she will not stand in elections until rules are followed
By Paul Nicholson
March 23 – Rochell Woodson, the Liberian FA executive committee member who blew the whistle on corruption within the federation, has said she will not stand for election for president while the LFA continues to break its own statutes and manipulate the election rules.
Exclusive: Bility pressures Infantino not to release Liberia financial audit findings in advance of LFA elections
By Paul Nicholson
March 21 – Outgoing Liberia FA (LFA) president Musa Bility has petitioned FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino not to release the findings of an audit of the LFA in December last year.
Liberia: out with the old, in with the old. Bility may be going but his cronies aren’t
By Paul Nicholson
March 20 – Liberian FA president Musa Bility may be standing down at the next elections scheduled this March, but the corruption plagued federation does not appear to be cleaning up its act with allegations of election rigging and candidates standing who shared in the misappropriation of $50,000 of FIFA funds – aid that was sent to fight the Ebola epidemic but never made its way past the LFA executive committee.
Controversial Liberian boss Bility to step down from FA leadership
By Andrew Warshaw
March 19 – After months of damning stories and rumours surrounding financial corruption within his national federation as well as his own alleged involvement, Musa Bility, whose conduct proved so controversial he failed an integrity test to contest the FIFA presidency, is to step down as Liberian FA president after choosing not to run for a third term next month.
Rwanda pull out of bid to host 2019 U17 World Cup
March 12 – Rwanda have withdrawn their bid to host the 2019 U-17 World Cup, the country’s FA president confirmed.
Samoura and Ahmad in Marrakech for CAF forum focussed on raising women’s game
March 6 – The first ever Women’s Football Symposium for the whole of African football has opened in Marrakech designed to chart a new course for the development of the women’s game.
Kanouté calls for Africa to be treated equally and for resource to help develop itself
By Samindra Kunti in Zurich
March 5 – Former Tottenham, West Ham United and Sevilla striker Frederick Kanouté has called for a level playing field in football by developing local African leagues.
FIFA keeps close control of Cameroon as elections and new statutes prepared
March 1 – A normalisation committee imposed in Cameroon by FIFA to try and bring an end to years of internal rifts has reportedly been extended for another six months.
VAR to debut in Africa at CAF Super Cup match in Morocco
February 21 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to introduce the video assistant referee (VAR) system for the first time this weekend.
Ghana football in chaos as injunction halts Congress and delays season
By Mark Baber
February 8 – Football in Ghana, including the Ghana Premier League, First Division and the Ordinary Congress of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has been put on hold as Accra Great Olympics, one of the teams relegated at the end of last season, won an injunction on Monday delaying kick off of the new season until their appeal against relegation is heard.