By Mark Baber
June 23 – As the Gulf diplomatic crisis rumbles on, with no end in sight, the Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) has issued a statement aimed at limiting the spread of damage to football, in the wake of Egypt’s national team and Cairo club Ahly refusing to give access to Qatari-owned sport channel beIN Sports in recent matches.
In a statement, CAF “recalls that, among the principles underlying the fundamental values of Olympism, is the need for all stakeholders in sport in general and football in particular, players, clubs, national associations and confederations to respect strict neutrality and independence, particularly at the political level, within the framework of the sporting events in which they participate.”
“The guarantee of respect for these principles of neutrality and independence is part of the statutory missions of CAF and FIFA, as well as the obligations of member associations.”
Alluding indirectly to the actions of the Egyptian clubs and national team, the statement continues: “Certain inadequate behaviours in this respect have recently been noted by representatives of certain Clubs and National Teams competing in CAF competitions.
“Such behaviour has no place in a sports competition. CAF calls on the relevant stakeholders for reason to prevail, regardless of their sensitivities, and stresses that it will be particularly vigilant as regards respect for these principles of neutrality and independence in all future games played under its aegis.”
CAF then issues a clear warning about future attempts to bring the political dispute and current attempts to isolate Qatar into the football arena saying: “Particular attention of all Organising Committees for CAF Competitions, including the CAF Organising Committee for Interclub Competitions, as well as the Match Commissioners and General Coordinators, has been drawn specifically to these issues.”
“The Match Commissioners and General Coordinators will make the necessary findings and reports, while the relevant Organising Committees will take appropriate sanctions in accordance with the applicable regulations.”
The statement comes after the Egyptian FA boss Hany Abu Rida (recently elected to FIFA’s Council) announced, in connection with the game against Tunisia, that: “We will not deal with beIN Sports channels and we will not allow them to join the training sessions.” And also claimed that “We will also boycott press conferences if there are beIN Sports cameras,” adding, “We are ready to pay the fines, but we will not retract our decision.”
It also follows Ahly coach Hossam El-Badry’s refusal to talk to beIN Sports following his side’s 2-0 Champions League loss to Morocco’s Wydad on Tuesday.
FIFA has come under some criticism for replacing Qatari officials who were due to referee a UAE game against Thailand, a decision the ruling body said was “taken for sporting reasons and in view of the current geopolitical situation.”
However, it is clear the aim of the footballing authorities is to minimise the impact of the Gulf stand-off on football and this will require a balancing of pragmatism with a willingness to take firm action in the interests of football require it.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714066903labto1714066903ofdlr1714066903owedi1714066903sni@r1714066903ebab.1714066903kram1714066903