Liberian FA bans ref for 2 years for taking bribe
August 14 – The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has banned referee Josephus Torjilar for two years for accepting a bribe.
Africa
Exclusive: FIFA swoops on African FAs’ World Cup rights with 8-day ultimatum
By Osasu Obayiuwana
August 13 – In a highly unusual move, FIFA has asked the 54 member associations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to sign a one-page media rights “mandate” that gives the world governing body “an irrevocable mandate to implement a central marketing plan to market and commercialise the media rights for the FIFA African Qualifiers 2022 & 2026.”
FIFA inspectors visit Nigeria for 2020 U-20 Women’s World Cup bid appraisal
August 12 – Nigeria is in the running to host the 2020 U-20 Women’s World Cup. A FIFA inspection team visited facilities in the proposed host cities of Lagos, Benin City, Asaba and Uyo.
Bility armed for battle against FIFA ‘colonisation’ of CAF; Grafstrom denies threats
By Osasu Obayiuwana
August 9 – Musa Bility, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee member, recently banned for 10 years, by the Adjudicatory Chamber of FIFA’s Ethics Committee, is accusing a key official of the world governing body of strong-arming him, over his refusal to accept FIFA’s direct intervention in CAF’s affairs.
Doubts raised over Cameroon’s ability to host AFCON 2021
August 9 – Having been stripped of hosting rights for this year’s African Cup of Nations due to lack of preparations, Cameroon may not even be ready to stage the showpiece event in two years’ time, according to their all-time leading goalscorer.
Esperance keep CAF Champions League title but president Meddeb fined over safety threats
By Osasu Obayiuwana
August 7 – CAF’s Disciplinary Committee (DC) have confirmed that Tunisian club Esperance remain the 2019 African champions, after several weeks of controversy, following the abandonment of the May 31 Champions League final in Tunis, between them and Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) of Morocco.
Drogba, now special advisor to Ahmad, considers run at Ivory Coast FA presidency
August 8 – Former Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba, who last month joined the African Football Confederation (CAF) as one of two special advisors to Ahmad Ahmad, is weighing up whether to run for president of his national federation according to l’Equipe.
‘Headbutting’ Moroccan FA president Fouzi Lekjaa lives to fight another day at CAF
By Paul Nicholson
August 6 – Moroccan FA president Fouzi Lekjaa, who allegedly head-butted Ethiopian referee Bamlak Tessema after the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final between RS Berkane and Zamalek, has had the charges against him of assault dismissed, despite eye witnesses being present.
LC2 agency boss Lagnide says CAF trying to cancel $20m TV debt makes no sense
By Osasu Obayiuwana
August 6 – Christian Lagnide, the CEO of Sports Marketing firm LC2, currently in a near $20 million debt dispute with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), says his company is not in violation of its previous TV rights contract with the continental football governing body.
CHAN qualifier surprises as Lesotho beat South Africa and Togo end 11-year drought
August 6 – South Africa’s hastily assembled squad has been dumped out of the African Nations Championship qualifiers after a 3-0 defeat to Lesotho on Sunday saw them lose 6-2 on aggregate.
Lagardere banks on bumper $400m beIN deal to make up bulk of CAF guarantee
By Osasu Obayiuwana
August 5 – beIN Sports, the international pay-tv broadcaster, financed by the government of Qatar, is officially the number one financial partner of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Samoura takes charge at CAF with promises of ‘stability, serenity…and transparency’
August 5 – FIFA’s secretary general Fatma Samoura has officially started her reforming mission at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) despite strong opposition from within sections of African football’s hierarchy.
CAS sends African Champions League replay decision back to CAF’s ‘competent’ bodies
By Osasu Obayiuwana
July 31 – In a further twist to the controversy that has bedevilled last May’s abandoned African Champions League final in Tunis, between Esperance of Tunisia and Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco, the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) has nullified the decision of CAF’s executive committee on June 5 in Paris, ordering a replay of the game.
Bility lays bare FIFA’s ‘weaponized’ and politicised Ethics process in open letter to Council
By Paul Nicholson
July 31 – Musa Hassan Bility, the CAF executive committee member banned by FIFA less than 24 hours after filing a complaint to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), has written an Open Letter to the FIFA Council calling into question the governing body’s “weaponised” Ethics committee.
Road to Qatar 2022: African match-ups set for preliminary World Cup qualifiers
July 30 – Twenty eight African teams learned who their first opposition would be on the road to Qatar after the draw for the preliminary round of Africa’s qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup was held on Monday.