Governing Bodies
Algeria’s Berraf re-elected as President of ANOCA
Algeria’s Mustapha Berraf has been re-elected as President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) after defeating challenger Lydia Nsekera in today’s election at the organisation’s General Assembly in Cairo.
Berraf, an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member who became President in 2018, will serve a second four-year term.
He was re-elected with 38 votes as Burundi’s Nsekera tallied 15.
Both candidates stood for the position in 2018 too, which ended with Berraf winning by 34 votes to 20.
The Algerian succeeded long-serving Ivorian President Lassana Palenfo, who spent 13 years at the helm and was first elected in 2005.
Nsekera announced her intention to run again on March 31, vowing to “restore the image” of ANOCA and suggesting the governing body needed a “different approach”.
The Burundi National Olympic Committee President ran on a campaign promising transparency and good governance, something she was critical of in the current regime.
On the eve of the election, Nsekera accused the 67-year-old Berraf of breaching the organisation’s ethics rules.
She claimed her rival had attempted to “discredit” her and had used “unacceptable” tactics to try to “gain the sympathy of voting members”.
This was communicated to the chairman and members of the ANOCA Ethics Commission and seen by insidethegames.
“The ANOCA Ethics Commission provided us clear guidelines for the management of our campaign,” wrote Nsekera.
“However, everyone of us has observed for some time how President Mustapha Berraf has multiplied last minute activities during a campaign period, which according to the rules should not be condoned.
“First of all, President Berraf decided to publish the strategic plan developed by representatives of our NOCs [National Olympic Committees] for the next quadrennial as his campaign document.
“As managers, we all know that such a document will be implemented by the team that will be elected on May 25.
“President Berraf further gave an interview published by RFI on April 18 in which I read an attempt to discredit my person.
“We are in a democracy, and when things are not working as they should, especially when the reputation of our Institution is threatened, dragged through the mud for now two years because of its leaders, as responsible men and women, it is our duty to stand up and demand change.
“None of us wants to continue to see ANOCA ridiculed in public like is presently the case.”
Berraf’s IOC membership is pegged to his role as ANOCA President.
He resigned as Algerian Olympic Committee President in May 2020 after saying he was “tired” of the “repeated attacks” against him and his family.
This followed allegations of corruption which he denied.
Sudan’s Ahmed Hashim was re-elected as the general secretary of ANOCA, defeating Seydina Omar Diagne of Senegal by 29 votes to 24.
Sao Tome and Principe’s Joao Da Costa Alegre Afonso and Lesotho’s Matlohang Moiloa Ramoqopo were elected as first and second vice-presidents respectively unopposed.
Kamal Lahlou of Morocco was elected as third vice-president ahead of Negroes Kgosietsile of Botswana and Julien Minavoa of Benin.
After Minavoa was eliminated after the first round of voting, Lahlou won 27 to Kgosietsile’s 25 votes.
Fardouza Egueh of Djibouti was elected as fourth vice-president unopposed.
Nigeria’s Habu Gumel was elected by a clear majority as ANOCA treasurer in a head-to-head with Togo’s Akpaki Kodjo Ogouwa, winning 43 to their opponent’s 10.
-insidethegames
The FIFA Museum in Zurich has launched a new special exhibition titled Innovation in Action: Football Technologies on and off the Pitch, offering visitors an unprecedented glimpse into how innovation is transforming the world’s most popular sport.
Opened on Monday, October 1, 2025, the immersive showcase was developed in collaboration with the FIFA Innovation Team and other departments within world football’s governing body. It explores how cutting-edge technology supports players, referees, and fans—enhancing performance, ensuring fairness, and enriching the overall football experience—while preserving the game’s passion and human spirit.
“What makes this exhibition truly special is that we can give visitors a never-before-seen behind-the-scenes look that allows them to step inside football innovation, experiencing it hands-on rather than just reading about it,” said Marco Fazzone, Managing Director of the FIFA Museum. “We offer a glimpse at technologies and tools that fans don’t normally get to experience up close, while also showing how innovation has evolved over almost 100 years of FIFA World Cup history.”
Organised around five themed sections — Broadcasting & Media, Intelligent Data, Refereeing & Fair Play, Staging the Game, and the Innovation Lab — the exhibition blends rare artefacts with interactive displays. Visitors can relive football’s broadcast evolution, from the black-and-white footage of the 1954 World Cup to today’s ultra-slow motion 4K replays, and even step into a virtual referee booth to experience the pressures of officiating in real time.
Among the standout features is the FIFA Player App, which allows fans to explore Chelsea star Cole Palmer’s performance statistics from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final, illustrating how data helps players refine their craft.
Another exhibit showcases Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan’s water bottle from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 — marked with opponents’ penalty data — revealing how analytics influence critical moments.
Visitors can also view a referee body camera used at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, giving a fresh perspective on decision-making from the official’s point of view.
The exhibition invites visitors to engage directly with football technology. They can test their reflexes and judgment as referees, operate goal-line technology systems, or assume the role of a broadcast director managing live match feeds. Data enthusiasts can analyse player movements, while aspiring innovators can design their own football tech concepts inside the Innovation Lab.
Innovation in Action runs until 31 March 2026 at the FIFA Museum in Zurich. Entry is included with a standard museum ticket.
With its rich mix of storytelling, interactivity, and history, the exhibition promises to be a must-see experience for anyone passionate about the future of the beautiful game.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that football could not solve conflicts, but it must carry a message of peace and unity as Israel’s military operation in Gaza and other global tensions fuel calls for the sport to take a stand.
“At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world,” Infantino told a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich where he met Palestinian federation president Jibril Rajoub.
“Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the many conflicts that exist around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity.”
Infantino said world football’s governing body could not solve geopolitical crises, but “it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”
“I met Palestinian Football Association (PFA) President Jibril Rajoub today at the Home of FIFA in Zurich to discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East region,” Infantino later wrote on Instagram.
“I commend President Rajoub and the PFA for their resilience at this time and I reiterated to him FIFA’s commitment to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world.”
FIFA has faced repeated calls to act over the war in Gaza, with Palestinian officials pressing for Israel to be suspended from international football.
The issue has been under review by FIFA for months, but no decision has been taken. Infantino has consistently said such matters require consensus with the confederations and must be handled with caution.
The comments came a day after FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani noted that any decision over Israel’s participation in European competitions, including World Cup qualifiers, was a matter for UEFA to decide, effectively putting the onus on the European body.
“First and foremost, it (Israel) is a member of UEFA, no different than I have to deal with a member of my region for whatever reason… They have to deal with that,” Montagliani told reporters at the Leaders sports business conference on Wednesday.
Israel are third in Europe’s Group I of the qualifying stage for next year’s World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Amnesty International on Wednesday sent a letter to FIFA and UEFA calling on them to suspend the Israel Football Association.
-Reuters
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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports suggesting that its Statutes will be amended at this year’s Annual General Assembly (AGA), insisting that no such plans are on the table for the September 27 meeting.
In a statement, the Federation stressed that the ongoing conversation around its Statutes remains at a preliminary stage and that suggestions of imminent changes are unfounded.
Ahead of the AGA, the NFF will host a workshop on September 26, bringing together representatives of its members, as well as officials from FIFA and CAF. According to the Federation, the forum is strictly consultative, designed to deliberate on proposals for new Statutes in line with the principles of good governance and international best practices.
The NFF explained that only after consensus is reached with its members will a separate General Assembly be convened to formally consider and adopt any proposed Statute changes.
“The NFF remains committed to due process, transparency, and working hand-in-hand with its General Assembly Members, FIFA, and CAF,” the statement read.
“The ultimate goal is to establish enduring Statutes that will strengthen governance, broaden representation, and promote inclusivity within Nigerian football.”
The Federation added that the long-term reform framework is aimed at ensuring stability and progress across its structures and enhancing the participation of all stakeholders in the country’s football administration.
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