Zambia beat Botswana to grab fifth Cosafa Cup title
June 11 – Zambia won the Cosafa Cup in a narrow victory 1-0 over Botswana in Durban, South Africa, in the annual Southern Africa championship.
Africa
CAFgate: Fahmy tells Egyptian TV he had nothing to do with Ahmad arrest, TV rights questions raised
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
June 10 – Former CAF General Secretary Amr Fahmy has made a rare TV statement on the corruption investigations against CAF president Ahmad Ahmad, (pictured) claiming that his case was inspired by Egypt President Abdelfattah Al-Sisi.
Sierra Leone’s anti-corruption body keeps Johansen in their sights with new appeal
June 10 – Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has lodged an appeal against the acquittal of federation president Isha Johansen (pictured).
AHMAD RELEASED: CAF boss out but must remain in France for criminal investigation
By Paul Nicholson
June 6 – CAF president Ahmad Ahmad, arrested at his Paris hotel in an 8.30am swoop this morning, was released in the evening though will reportedly have to remain in France under house arrest.
CAF-gate: Bility says Ahmad must now order a forensic audit into CAF finances
By Paul Nicholson
June 8 – Musa Bility, the CAF executive committee member from Liberia who has spoken out against president Ahmad’s management of the African confederation and in particular his handling of commercial partnerships, has called for a forensic audit of CAF’s finances.
AHMAD ARRESTED. French police swoop on CAF boss at FIFA’s Paris gathering
By Paul Nicholson
June 6 – The privileged and protected world of African confederation president Ahmad Ahmad has come crashing down with his arrest at the Berri Hotel in Paris this morning where he has been staying during the FIFA Congress and in the run-up to the opening of the Women’s World Cup this weekend.
‘Credibility, trust and integrity’: Ahmad arrest dumps new dirt on FIFA’s eerie parade
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
June 6 – Everything seemed to be running so smoothly for the FIFA administration. A trouble-free election victory for Gianni Infantino, the shortest of Congresses, a first ever women’s football convention extolling the sporting virtues of female players and the eagerly anticipated opening of the Women’s World Cup.
CAF order Esperance vs Wydad final to be replayed amid chaotic scenes in Paris
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
June 6 – Amid uproar, chaos and allegations of bias and mismanagement, the image of African football administration has once again descended into farce after its executive ordered a replay on neutral ground of the controversial African Champions League final second leg between Esperance of Tunisia and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco.
Ahmad says his ‘dirty laundry’ won’t be washed in public and pledges Africa to Infantino
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
June 4 – Under-fire African football chief Ahmad, who unconfirmed reports say is under investigation by FIFA’s ethics gurus, today pleaded for unity among his colleagues with a rallying cry he clearly hoped would ward off mounting attacks on his presidency of FIFA’s largest confederation.
FIFA welcomes Sierra Leone back into the family in time for Paris gathering
June 4 – FIFA has lifted Sierra Leone’s international ban following a meeting of the world governing body’s ruling council in Paris, allowing FA president Isha Johansen to attend the FIFA Congress here on Wednesday.
CAF’s ‘corporate’ crisis makes its way pitchside as CL finalists Wydad walk out after 60mins
By Andrew Warshaw
June 3 – The image of African football, already tarnished by a series of FIFA bans of former senior officials and allegations surrounding current leader Ahmad Ahmad, suffered a damaging blow on the field Saturday when the showpiece final of the continent’s top club competition was sensationally abandoned after Wydad Casablanca of Morocco refused to continue in protest of VAR not being employed.
Zamalek president Murtada fires Swiss manager Gross calling him an infidel
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
May 31 – In what is one of the more bizarre performance-related sackings of a top manager, irritable president of Egyptian club Zamalek Murtada Mansour fired Swiss coach Christian Gross soon after his side drew 1-1 against Al-Entag in an Egyptian Premier League tie on Thursday.
Ahmad faithful gather to protect CAF president against corruption and harassment charges
By Andrew Warshaw
May 30 – Supporters of African football chief Ahmad Ahmad are rallying around their under-fire president ahead of next week’s Confederation of African Football regional summit in Paris and the full FIFA Congress the following day.
Nigerian authorities chase Pinnick over alleged ‘disappearance’ of $8.4m of FIFA cash
May 30 – Just days before he takes his place among the great and the good (and not so good) of African football – if he turns up, that is – Nigerian FA chief Amaju Pinnick, a strong ally of FIFA president Gianni Infantino and a constant figure of controversy, has been ordered to appear in court on July 1 along with four colleagues to answer charges of alleged misappropriation of funds.
Cairo terrorist attacks prompt CAF to set up a security committee for AFCON 2019
May 30 – Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad says a special committee has been set up to deal with security issues at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt next month.