Africans rejig FIFA exco reps as Raouraoua pulls out of election
February 18 – Algeria’s Mohamed Raouraoua (right) has pulled out of standing for re-election as one of Africa’s FIFA executive committee members after serving a single term.
Africa
Doors will be closed for Egyptian league’s restart after Cairo massacre
By Andrew Warshaw
February 16 – Egypt’s Premier League is set to resume in the wake of the fatal stampede earlier this month that left at least 20 fans dead but there is some confusion as to the exact date matches will start again.
Morocco ‘stunned’ by CAF rulings and vow to fight for rights
By Andrew Warshaw
February 12 – Moroccan football authorities have come out fighting by refusing to accept the sanctions imposed on them by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for pulling out of hosting the recent Africa Cup of Nations.
Ivory Coast puts up houses and cash bonuses for Toure and AFCON teammates
By Mark Baber
February 11 – The president of the Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara has awarded over €3 million ($3.4 million) in bonuses to his country’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations winners according to the Ivorian Sports Ministry.
Death toll mounts as Egyptian government suspends Premier League
By Mark Baber
February 9 – Egypt’s government has ordered the suspension of all Egyptian Premier League matches in the country after at least 22 fans were killed and many more injured outside the Air Defence stadium on Sunday, prior to the game between Cairo clubs Zamalek and ENPPI. Some reports now put the death toll at over 40.
African Nations Cup drama ends in shoot-out on the pitch, and war off it
By Andrew Warshaw
February 9 – Ivory Coast’s first Africa Cup of Nations title since 1992 on Sunday failed to mask a series of controversial events that blighted the tournament on and off the pitch.
Violence shatters African Cup as home fans run riot in Equatorial Guinea
By Andrew Warshaw
February 6 – Fans of host nation Equatorial Guinea brought shame and disgrace on the Africa Cup of Nations as they forced Thursday’s semifinal to be suspended for more than 30 minutes amid scenes described as a “war zone”.
Not biased, but AFCON penalty ref gets 6 month ban
February 5 – The referee who awarded the controversial last-gasp penalty decision that helped hosts Equatorial Guinea reach the African Nations Cup semi-finals at the expense of Tunisia has been banned for six months.
Tunisian fury over ‘home’ ref ‘fixing’ at AFCON quarter-finals
February 2 – Stand-in hosts Equatorial Guinea may have surpassed all expectations by reaching the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations but the tournament, already criticised for lack of organisation, faces a barrage of fresh anger over both the officiating and player indiscipline.
All ends in tears for Mali as Guinea get the luck of the draw
January 30 – African football chiefs admit that the system of drawing lots in their major competition must be revised after Mali’s quarterfinal dream in the Africa Cup of Nations was unfairly dashed.
Mali and Guinea live in hope but bemoan luck of the draw
January 29 – The respective coaches of Mali and Guinea have criticised the drawing of lots to decide which of them progresses in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Sierra Leone government backs Johansen against rebel takeover
January 29 – The Sierra Leone government is backing the country’s present football regime against the threat of a takeover by a rebel group pushing for change.
Africans keep faith in Blatter for another term at the top
January 28 – African countries, keen to maintain the level of developments funding they receive, will remain steadfastly behind Sepp Blatter in the forthcoming FIFA presidential election campaign.
Sakho’s joy turns to anger at Facebook abuse for missing AFCON
January 27 – Senegal striker Diafra Sakho says he is “saddened” and “angered” by criticism of his absence from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Kenyan reach agreement to revamp league and set up task force
By Mark Baber
January 22 – The dispute between the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and Football Kenya Federation (FKL) over the number of teams in Kenya’s top division and the relationship between the two bodies looks close to resolution with reports of a task force set up to take matters forward.