FA has announced the immediate suspension of the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) due to ongoing political interference, marking a significant disruption in the country’s football landscape. This suspension follows months of escalating tensions between FECOFOOT and the Ministry of Sports, culminating in the controversial dissolution of the federation’s executive committee and the intervention of police forces in the country’s sports facilities.
As a result of this suspension, Congolese football clubs and national teams are now banned from participating in all international competitions. The suspension also halts crucial funding and development programs from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), further isolating the country’s football community from international support.
One of the most devastating consequences of this action is the impact on youth football in Congo. Rufin Loemba, FECOFOOT’s Communication Officer, expressed deep frustration over the effect on young players. “The most painful part is that we have young players who were supposed to compete in the UNIFAC tournament in Cameroon, set to begin on February 16th,” Loemba explained. “This tournament is a qualifier for the Africa Cup of Nations U-17 tournament in Morocco, and now these young cadets will miss out. This decision not only affects them, but also thousands of people who rely on football for their livelihoods.”
The dispute within FECOFOOT arose after accusations of political interference, particularly the dissolution of the legitimate executive committee. FIFA claims that an ad hoc commission was put in place, which it views as illegitimate. The alleged dissolution was marked by questionable actions, including the manipulation of official documents and signatures. FECOFOOT has also been accused of tampering with the federation’s finances, including changing the signatories on its bank accounts.
Sylvain Samba, a board member of the Diable Noir football club, voiced his concerns over the process. “To dismantle the COMEX, the collective of club presidents should have signed the petition, but the signatories were not the actual presidents. Instead, we believe forgeries were committed, and people who had no authority signed it,” Samba said. “If there were mismanagement by Mayolas, then he should be held accountable by FIFA or CAF. Mayolas was duly elected.”
FIFA’s suspension is conditional on FECOFOOT meeting several demands, including reinstating the previous executive committee, restoring the legitimacy of the federation’s financial operations, and ensuring its autonomy from political influence.
As the situation unfolds, the future of Congolese football remains uncertain, with both the domestic football community and international stakeholders calling for a swift resolution to return the sport to normalcy. The suspension has left both players and fans anxiously awaiting a resolution that could restore legitimacy and stability to the country’s footballing structure.
