Reports suggest that the CAF president who has earlier been banned by FIFA from all football-related activities for 5 years over alleged corruption is planning on appealing the decision at CAS.
Following FIFA’S decision to ban CAF president Ahmad Ahmad for five years over violating their code of ethics represented in the unlawful acceptance of gifts and benefits, reports emerged to confirm that the 60-year-old from Madagascar will appeal FIFA’S decision at CAS.
FIFA announced the decision on Monday pointing out that the penalty imposed on the CAF President and FIFA’S vice president came as a result of his behavior during the period between 2017 and 2019.
“The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has found Ahmad Ahmad, the President of the Confederation of African Football ( CAF) and a FIFA Vice-president, guilty of having breached art. 15 (Duty of loyalty), art. 20 (Offering and accepting gifts or other benefits) and art. 25 (Abuse of position) of the 2020 edition of the FIFA Code of Ethics, as well as art. 28 (Misappropriation of funds) of the 2018 edition” FIFA’S statement said.
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According to Moroccan and Malagasy reports Ahmed met with his lawyers on Tuesday morning as they are preparing to submit his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Switzerland.
Right after his suspension, Ahmad has been temporarily replaced by his vice president Constant Omari who will be acting as CAF president while Ahmad was definitely disqualified from re-running for another term of presidency in March 2021.
Last month, the former head of Madagascar’s FA announced his intention to go for a second term in office.
This is now in major doubt as Ahmad, who was elected CAF president in 2017, would have to pass an eligibility test to resume his place on the FIFA Council.
Any chances of re-election will be dependent on not only winning his appeal at CAS, but also ensuring said appeal is heard early enough to allow him to be confirmed as a candidate.
Should FIFA take 60 days to issue its grounds, Ahmad would be ineligible to stand for re-election since he would need to be cleared of any wrongdoing by 11 January, the date CAF is scheduled to formally announce the presidential candidates to its members.
Ahmad recently stepped back from leading CAF, stating medical reasons as he continues to recover from coronavirus, so leaving CAF’S first vice-president Constant Omari in charge.
“In accordance with its statutes, CAF announces that the current interim of Mr Constant Omari as President of CAF is extended,” African football’s ruling body said in a statement.
“CAF, which is concerned about the reputational consequences of this long procedure, maintains the schedule of all its activities and programs.”
The CAF election is scheduled for March 12 in Rabat, Morocco
