Brazzaville, Congo – FIFA has announced the immediate suspension of the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) due to escalating tensions and undue interference by the government, plunging Congolese football into crisis.
The decision bars Congolese clubs and national teams from participating in international competitions and cuts off crucial funding.
FIFA Cites Political Interference
FIFA’s decision follows months of disputes between FECOFOOT and the Ministry of Sports, culminating in police intervention and the closure of sports facilities.
FIFA accused FECOFOOT of violating its regulations, specifically regarding political interference, by dissolving the elected executive committee and establishing an ad hoc commission deemed illegitimate.
FIFA stated that FECOFOOT was suspended with immediate effect due to a particularly serious situation of undue interference by third parties.
The decision was taken in consultation with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after two FIFA/CAF missions were dispatched to Brazzaville.
Devastating Impact on Congolese Football
The suspension has far-reaching consequences for Congolese football. Clubs and national teams are now banned from international competitions, and FECOFOOT will lose access to vital funding and development programs from FIFA and CAF.
FECOFOOT’s Communication Officer, Rufin Loemba, expressed deep concern about the impact on youth players.
“The most painful part is that we have young players who were supposed to compete in the UNIFAC tournament in Cameroon starting on the 16th,” Loemba said.
“This tournament is a qualifier for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, and these are U17 players, the cadets. Now, the suspension has been imposed, and it hurts deeply.
Football is the most popular sport in Congo, and you can imagine how this affects nearly 5,000 or even 10,000 people who rely on it for their livelihoods”.
Allegations of Forgery and Illegitimate Signatories
Sylvain Samba, an executive board member of the Diable Noir Club, voiced his frustration over the dissolution of the committee.
“To dismantle the COMEX, the collective of club presidents should have signed the petition. But the signatories were not the actual club presidents. Instead, there were forgers and impostors who likely faked signatures,” Samba said.
FIFA has set clear conditions for lifting the suspension, including:
- Returning full control of FECOFOOT headquarters and facilities to the executive committee.
- Reversing changes to the signatories of FECOFOOT bank accounts and restoring control to those recognized by FIFA and CAF.
- Invalidating decisions authorizing the ad hoc committee to exercise control over FECOFOOT.
- Ensuring FECOFOOT can manage its affairs without undue influence from third parties.
Uncertainty Looms Over Congolese Football
As tensions rise, the future of Congolese football remains uncertain. FIFA’s suspension has cast a shadow over the nation’s footballing community, jeopardizing upcoming matches, player development, and the livelihoods of those connected to the sport.
Both the Congolese football community and international bodies are calling for a swift resolution to restore normalcy and legitimacy to the federation
