Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad Ahmad banned by world football governing body Fifa for five years for financial misconduct.
In a statement, Fifa said that the investigation covered Ahmad’s conduct in his position as Caf president during the period from 2017 to 2019.
It was related to various Caf-related governance issues, including the organisation and financing of an Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca, Ahmad’s involvement in the continental body’s dealings with the sports equipment company Tactical Steel and other activities.
“In its decision‚ following an extensive hearing‚ the adjudicatory chamber ruled that‚ based on information gathered by the investigatory chamber‚ Mr Ahmad had breached his duty of loyalty‚ offered gifts and other benefits‚ mismanaged funds and abused his position as the Caf President‚ pursuant to the Fifa Code of Ethics‚” said the statement.
“Consequently‚ the adjudicatory chamber found that Mr Ahmad had breached arts 15‚ 20 and 25 of the current edition of the Fifa Code of Ethics‚ as well as art. 28 of the 2018 edition‚ and sanctioned him with a ban from all football-related activity (administrative‚ sports or any other) at both national and international level for five years.
“In addition‚ a fine in the amount of 200‚000 [Swiss francs] has been imposed on Mr Ahmad.
“The terms of the decision were notified to Mr Ahmad today‚ the date on which the ban comes into force.
“In accordance with art. 78 par. 2 of the Fifa Code of Ethics‚ the full‚ motivated decision will be notified to Mr Ahmad in the next 60 days‚ after which it will be published on legal.fifa.com.”