May 3 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Mali’s suspension by FIFA has been lifted.
Mali were originally banned from global football after the country’s Sports Minister Housseïni Amion Guindo sacked the executive committee following allegations of fraud during a leadership election last year. He then appointed a provisional committee and ordered the election of a new executive committee within one year.
FIFA, who do not look kindly on government interference, had said the ban would only be lifted when the board was reinstated.
CAF now says a letter dated April 28 and signed by FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura had confirmed the reinstatement of the executive committee, thereby allowing Mali back into the international fold.
CAF say Mali are therefore now clear to participate in the Under 17 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon from 14 to 28 May. Ethiopia would have replaced Mali, who are defending champions, if the suspension had not been lifted.
“The decisions pertaining to the dissolution of the executive bureau of the FMF and the setting up of a provisional committee are and remain cancelled,” the Mali Minister of Sports said in a statement.
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