Governing Bodies
INTERNATIONAL AUDITORS, PWC RUBBISH CAF ACCOUNTS
BY DAN PALMER.
The accounting records of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have been described as “unreliable and not trustworthy” after an independent audit, it has been reported.
A review of the troubled organisation was made by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) with their findings seen by Reuters.
According to the news agency, a “series of concerns” have been listed over 55 pages.
The findings come after FIFA announced earlier this month that its “six-month mission” to reform African football had been “successfully completed”.
In a statement the world governing body acknowledged the PWC report alongside a series of recommendations, but the document has not been made public.
“The accounting records of CAF are unreliable and not trustworthy,” the report reads, according to Reuters.
“Based upon the procedures performed and documents reviewed, several red flags, potential elements of mismanagement and possible abuse of power were found in key areas of finance and operations of CAF.
“Given the serious nature of certain findings and red flags identified from the preliminary due-diligence, we cannot rule out the possibility of potential irregularities.”
The report claims that many transactions were made with cash, which would not leave an audit trail.
BBC Sport has reported that a 2017 deal with Tactical Steel is of particular interest, as it is allegedly worth four times as much as an arrangement cancelled with sportswear giant Puma.
An associate of CAF President Ahmad, who has denied wrongdoing, has alleged links to Tactical Steel.
Payments between CAF and French media company Lagardere, and the distribution of money from the FIFA development fund, have also been highlighted.
The possible mismanagement of the CAF Centre of Excellence in Cameroon is another issue, BBC Sport said.
FIFA effectively took over control of the CAF in July following a series of allegations levelled at Ahmad, who is from Madagascar.
Secretary general Fatma Samoura was placed in charge of a group overseeing day-to-day operations by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Ahmad, who goes by one name, was arrested over corruption charges in Paris in June and has also been accused of sexual harassment.
He has been subject to investigation by FIFA’s Ethics Committee but has not faced suspension.
When announcing that FIFA’s work had been completed earlier this month following a meeting in Morocco’s capital Rabat, Samoura said “three pillars” had been focused on.
These were “good governance, financial management and internal procedures”, “efficient and professional organisation of competitions” and “growth and development of African football”.
A 100-point action plan on good governance would be implemented, FIFA said, while a $1 billion (£775 million/€910 million) infrastructure fund to invest in all 54 African member associations was called for.
Other recommendations included the creation of a group of professional referees and seeking new initiatives in international, club, women’s and youth football.
In line with a strategy presented by Infantino, a Pan-African League could be created.
“As agreed at the beginning of the mission, a forensic audit report produced by PricewaterhouseCoopers was presented,” FIFA said.
“FIFA is satisfied that the joint effort made with CAF was done and delivered within the initial proposed time-frame and reiterates FIFA’s commitment to be at the disposal of African football to assist in the process of raising its level to the top of the world.”
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Governing Bodies
Sanusi set for record-extending tenure as Nigeria’s football politicians assemble in Asaba
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Speculations gathered ahead of the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Football Federation holding in Asaba on Friday have it that tenure elongation for the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, is a major item on the agenda.
Neither formal confirmation nor denial has been issued since one of the leading newspapers in Nigeria, ThisDay dropped the hint.
The agenda of the meeting is also not made public. Dr, Sanusi is the longest-serving General Secretary in history having been in office from 30 March 2015 making 3,476 days or nine years six months and four days.
It easily drowned that of his closest rival in tenure – Sani Toro whose tenure from 21 December 1993 to 3 May 1999 is merely 2020 days or five years, six months and 12 days.
Thus, no one had enjoyed a longer period in office than the incumbent, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi. It is speculated that the tenure will be extended as NFF has reported that all delegates have arrived in the Delta State capital by Thursday evening.
The NFF Annual General Assembly, the first of which took place 90 years ago in Lagos on 19 February 1934, is the biggest assemblage of football administrators and stakeholders in the country.
In one such meeting on 24 July 2008 in Makurdi, the football body changed its name from NFA to NFF.
This year, according to a press release by the NFF, the plenary will have in attendance, the chairmen and secretaries of football associations in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, chairmen and secretaries of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and the Nationwide League One, as well as chairmen and secretaries of the referees’ association, players’ union and coaches’ association. This group of 88 makes up the Congress.
They are joined by the members of the NFF Executive Committee and the management team as well as former NFF Presidents and General Secretaries.
The Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, is announced as the special guest. Nigeria’s Member of the FIFA Council, Amaju Melvin Pinnick is also expected as well as a representative of the West African Football Union (WAFU B).
The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Francis Oborevwori will declare the General Assembly open.
Venue is the Unity Hall of the Delta State Government House.
Governing Bodies
Like in Egypt, former Nigerian Olympian, Sadiq Abdulahi wants Tinubu to declare ‘State of Emergency’ in Sports
Former Nigerian tennis player and Olympian, Prof. Sadiq Abdulahi has called for drastic action to arrest the decline of Nigeria in global sporting events.
The former tennis player who is now a professor in the United States declared that the “failure to win a medal at the regular 2024 Paris Olympics, the few medals at the Paris Paralympic and the fallout at the National Youth Sports Festival has exposed the deep problems facing the sport’s sector.”
He wants Nigeria to have the same approach that the Egyptian president has taken while reacting to the country’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olypics.
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi ordered a comprehensive evaluation of sports federations that participated at the Paris Olympic Games, following a mission report submitted by the country’s sports minister.
According to Prof. Abdulahi, the National Sports Federations charged with the preparation of elite athletes have failed to do their job despite the cry for funding from the government.
“Federal Government cannot adequately fund all the Olympics sports. It is impossible.
“By declaring a state of emergency, new people, new approaches and new funding models will be identified. More importantly, the Federal Government will redefine grassroots sports development.
“We will lay sustainable foundation for sports development.”
Continuing, he called for the return of the National Sports Commission (NSC) which enabling decree was abolished through Decree No. 7 of 1991, but came back through presidential proclamation under Sani Abacha before it was abolished again.
The original NSC was established in 1964 as National Sports Council before the promulgation of Decree 34 of 1971 which legalised it as the apex Federal Government agency to control, regulate and organize sports.
“The FG may now bring back the National Sports Commission or the National Sports Authority. Our emerging national economy with the full participation of the private sector can support this new beginning. I hope this helps.”
RELATED STORY: President Al-Sisi orders sports system overhaul
Governing Bodies
CAF gives Yoruba and Arabic interpretations of ‘OLA’ the Super Cup 2024 Official Match Ball
The Confédération African of Football, CAF, has given the linguistics interpretation of OLA, the confederation’s official match balls produced by Puma which has also unveiled a special edition for the Super Cup duel holding on Friday in Saudi Arabia.
According to CAF, OLA, symbolizing the dynamic and energetic nature of African football, means “wealth,” “honour,” and “respect” in Yoruba and “rise” and “success” in Arabic.
The OLA ball stands out with its vibrant design and cultural significance. “OLA”
The ball is a mix of black and gold, representing power and sophistication. The ball will be the centrepiece of the eagerly-awaited match between the two giants of African football.
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