Governing Bodies
FIFA president, Infantino confers ‘Global Football Power’ title on Morocco
Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA has lauded the Kingdom of Morocco’s achievements on the football pitch and as the ultimate destination for the hosting of major football events.
“Morocco has established itself as a global football power,” stated Infantino upon his arrival at the Rabat-Sale International Airport.
He highlighted Morocco’s historic qualification for the semi-final of the 2022 Qatar World Cup as a pivotal moment in the country’s footballing journey.
Speaking ahead of the final of the African Futsal Cup of Nations (AFCON), where Morocco was set to face Angola, Infantino commended Morocco’s role as host and the exceptional organization of the tournament.
“I am happy to be back in my home, the Kingdom of Morocco. Football dominates, breathes, vibrates, and lives in this country,” Infantino remarked.
Looking forward to future challenges, including the 2030 World Cup, Infantino expressed confidence in Morocco’s potential. “We know what Morocco knows and can do,” he stated.
The Moroccan futsal team was scheduled to compete against Angola in the AFCON final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex. Earlier matches saw Egypt and Libya vie for third place in the tournament.
The Moroccan team has clinched several prestigious titles, including the two latest editions of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2016 and 2020 and the Arab Cup for two consecutive years in 2021 and 2022.
Governing Bodies
IOC bans former OPEC & FIFA official, Sheikh Ahmad for 15 years
Kuwait’s Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah has been banned for 15 years from all positions within the International Olympic Committee over ethics breaches, the Olympic ruling body has decided.
In a letter seen by Reuters, IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper informed all IOC members of the Executive Board decision to sanction the once-powerful Sheikh Ahmad over a court case in Switzerland.
“The IOC Executive Board decided to confirm the seriousness of the breaches of ethical principles by Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah, including a betrayal of his IOC Member’s oath, as well as the seriousness of the damage to the IOC’s reputation, which has jeopardised its interests,” De Kepper said in the May 3 letter.
“And consequently, to sanction Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah by suspending all the rights, prerogatives and functions deriving from his IOC membership for a period of fifteen years starting from the date of the previous sanction decision by the IOC Executive Board on 27 July 2023.”
He was banned for three years last year over his alleged involvement in the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) elections, after the IOC approved recommendations issued by its ethics body.
A former OPEC secretary-general, Sheikh Ahmad was already self-suspended as a member of the IOC after being convicted by a Swiss criminal court of forgery in 2021, following which he also stepped down as president of the OCA.
Sheikh Ahmad was once one of the most influential people in sports politics, holding key positions on both the IOC as well as world soccer’s governing body FIFA. He was named Kuwait’s defence minister last year.
A former close ally of current IOC President Thomas Bach around the time the German lawyer ran for office in 2013, the Kuwaiti also led the Association of National Olympic Committees.
He was also in charge of the IOC’s purse — Olympic Solidarity — which financially supports athletes and national Olympic committees among others.
-Reuters
Governing Bodies
Crossfire in Zambia as FIFA and Government go for showdown
Drama is expected to unfold in Lusaka Zambia this Saturday morning over two related but contrasting programmes.
While a court in Lusaka has ordered a halt of a scheduled Annual General Meeting, FIFA, according to a media release by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has threatened sanctions should the gathering fail to hold.
According to Sydney Mungala, the Communication Manager of FAZ, “FIFA has directed FAZ to go ahead with Saturday’s AGM in respect of its statutes with failure to do so attracting possible sanctions from Zurich.”
The AGM is scheduled for Government Complex on Saturday morning with councilors already in Lusaka for the highly anticipated meeting.
The press statement however indicated that FAZ officials will also make appearance at the court same day.
The statement reads:
“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to inform its membership and stakeholders that it has made an application in the High Court for the discharge of an injunction obtained by two non-members seeking to halt Saturday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
“FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga says Football House had not deviated from its long-held reputation of being law abiding by also respecting the laws of the land through following the due process.
“Following an application by our lawyers for the discharge of the exparte (one sided) injunction obtained by two non-members, our lawyers did apply for the discharge of the order and the hearing has been set for Saturday morning,” says Reuben Kamanga, FAZ General Secretary.
The statement continues: “We are a law-abiding organization and fully comply with football rules as prescribed by FIFA and the laws of the land. We will be at the High Court where the inter-parte hearing will be held as prescribed by the court.”
Kamanga adds: “We urge our members to remain calm amidst these turbulences preceding tomorrow’s (Saturday) AGM. We will keep our members informed at every stage.”
The unfolding drama was precipitated by the arrest of FAZ president, Andrew Kamanga on account of money laundering. Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission alleged that Kamanga obtained government funds under false pretences.
Meanwhile, in a letter addressed to the FAZ General Secretary by FIFA and signed by Kenny Jean-Marie, the Chief Member Associations Officer, the world football governing body remarked that it was studying with great concerns, the unfolding events in Zambia.
Governing Bodies
What FIFA frowns at in Africa holds in Spain as government takes over FA
It often happens in Africa -government taking over the running of football, but FIFA reacts promptly with actual ban or threat.
Now the Spanish government on Thursday announced the creation of a special committee to oversee the country’s football federation (RFEF) until the governing body holds new elections.
The decision was taken “in response to the crisis in the organisation and in defence of the general interest of Spain”. the National Sports Council (CSD), which is the government agency responsible for sport, said in a statement.
The move followed months of scandals including a corruption investigation and an unsolicited kiss from former RFEF chief Luis Rubiales to player Jenni Hermoso during the on-pitch awards ceremony after Spain’s women’s World Cup triumph in Sydney.
“The Spanish government has taken this decision in order to correct the serious situation that the RFEF is going through and to allow the organisation to begin a period of regeneration,” the CSD said.
“This Commission for Supervision, Normalisation and Representation will be headed by independent persons of recognised prestige.”
Spain is trying to move on from the issues within the RFEF as it gears up to co-host the 2030 World Cup.
FIFA and UEFA say they are closely monitoring the situation with great concern. FIFA regulations state that members shall manage their affairs independently and without influence from third parties.
“FIFA and UEFA will seek additional information to assess the extent to which the CSD’s appointment of the so-called ‘Supervision, Normalisation and Representation Commission’ may affect the RFEF’s obligation to manage its affairs independently and without undue government interference,” they said in a joint statement.
Investigations over a multi-million euro corruption probe during Rubiales’ tenure led to other RFEF executives being fired after police raided the organisation’s headquarters in Madrid last month.
Rocha, who was acting as RFEF stand-in president and hoped to be anointed permanently, was placed under investigation by a judge this month after testifying as a witness in court. He was the sole candidate to succeed Rubiales.
Rocha said on April 16 he had “no knowledge nor, therefore, any responsibility for the facts that are being investigated”.
An apartment belonging to Rubiales was also raided as part of an investigation into the alleged corruption.
Rubiales was banned on Oct. 30 by world soccer’s governing body FIFA for three years from all football-related activities following the kiss, which was done allegedly without consent.
The CSD also postponed until Tuesday a decision on whether to take action in relation to disciplinary proceedings opened against Rocha on which the Administrative Court of Sport (TAD)will rule in the coming weeks.
The RFEF said in a statement this month that the TAD case was not related to the corruption probe but rather whether the federation overstepped its duties after Rubiales resigned.
Rocha’s office said in a statement this month that the irregularities in TAD’s case would be challenged.
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