Latest news with #FECOFOOT
Ya Biladi
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
2026 World Cup : Congo reinstated by FIFA, joins Morocco's group for qualifiers
The national team of Congo-Brazzaville will now be able to participate in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup following the lifting of the suspension of the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) by FIFA. The decision was announced on Wednesday, May 14, by the FIFA Council Bureau after the required conditions were met. These included «the full restitution of control over the FECOFOOT headquarters, the Ignié technical center, and other federation facilities to the FECOFOOT executive committee, led by Mr. Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas and his administration», according to the organization. Congo has been placed in Group F with Morocco and four other teams, including Zambia, Tanzania, and Niger. In February, FIFA had suspended FECOFOOT's membership «until further notice» due to «third-party interference» in its management. This suspension effectively barred Congo from participating in international competitions, including the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The controversy stemmed from the Congolese Minister of Sports, Hugues Ngouélondélé, establishing an ad hoc committee to manage FECOFOOT's affairs. This followed an extraordinary general assembly held in September 2024 by members seeking to remove federation president Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas.
Morocco World
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
FIFA Lifts Suspension on Congo
Congo will take part in next month's World Cup qualifiers after FIFA lifted its suspension of the country's football federation. World football's governing body confirmed on Wednesday its decision to reinstate the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT). The decision means the federation's executive committee, led by Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas, will regain full control of the organisation's operations and headquarters. The news comes after a period of uncertainty triggered by alleged third-party interference in the running of the federation, grounds FIFA often cites for imposing suspensions. Congo are due to face Niger and Morocco in June as part of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. The team sits fifth in Group E, having played only one match so far. Morocco lead the group with two wins from two. FIFA said in a statement: 'The conditions set by the Bureau of the FIFA Council for lifting the suspension have been met. Consequently, the Congolese Football Federation regains all its membership rights with immediate effect.' This is not the first time a FIFA member has been sanctioned over governance issues. In 2022, Zimbabwe was suspended following government interference in its national football body. Sierra Leone also faced similar action in 2018 due to internal leadership disputes. Under FIFA statutes, all member associations are required to manage their affairs independently and without influence from third parties. The lifting of the ban means Congo can resume their qualifying fixtures without sanction, avoiding the risk of match forfeitures. It also allows the country to re-engage with continental and international football, including club competitions and development programs. Congo's next match is scheduled for June 6 against Niger. They will then travel to face Morocco five days later. Both fixtures will be pivotal as the team looks to re-establish itself in the group. The federation has yet to comment publicly. Tags: CAFCongoFIFAMoroccoWorld Cup Qualifiers
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Official: FIFA lifts ban on Congo Republic's football federation
FIFA (via Getty Images) In a remarkable turn of events for football in Congo, the global governing body FIFA re-admitted the Republic of Congo's football federation, FECOFOOT , after a months-long suspension following a leadership tussle with the national sports ministry. The suspension had hurt the day-to-day activities of the federation, including the shutdown of its headquarters as well as several training centers. Congo football federation reinstated after settling with sports ministry FIFA has officially lifted its suspension of the Republic of Congo's football federation (FECOFOOT) three months after it was suspended due to third-party interference of the country's sports ministry. The move to suspend the ban was approved by FIFA on Wednesday, declaring that all previously laid-down conditions had been met by FECOFOOT and the Congolese government. Among the essential requirements was the return of complete authority of the headquarters of the football federation to its democratically elected representatives. The initial suspension had been effected by FIFA for what it called third-party interference in the internal affairs in violation of FIFA's requirements of autonomy for national football associations. A looming dispute between the federation and the Congolese Ministry of Sports was at the core of the controversy, one that resulted in administrative paralysis within the federation. Just after the suspension, Congo's sports minister, Hugues Ngouelondele, had said that the government was willing to talk to FIFA. He asserted that the state was not interfering in the activities of FECOFOOT and added that while the ministry was trying to find common ground, it would not bend its fundamental principles. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like BCP CFD: Tu oportunidad de ingresos extra principales inversores Leer más Undo FIFA, however, wanted several preconditions fulfilled before lifting the suspension, including unfettered access for FECOFOOT officials to their headquarters and independence in operations. With these conditions now fulfilled, FIFA has proceeded to lift the football organization. Lifting the ban will enable FECOFOOT to return to international football activities such as qualifiers to the next Africa Cup of Nations and other FIFA-sanctioned tournaments. Also Read: Xabi Alonso set to take Real Madrid charge ahead of FIFA Club World Cup This resolution is a major step forward for football in the Republic of Congo, where local development and international competition had been stalled because of administrative disagreement. With the suspension removed, focus will be back on reviving the sport's momentum at national and grassroots levels. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
FIFA lifts Congo Republic's suspension
FIFA has lifted its suspension on the Republic of Congo's soccer federation three months after it was imposed over third-party interference in its affairs amid a dispute with the country's sports ministry, the global governing body said on Wednesday. The long-standing dispute had resulted in the closure of some sports facilities and the Congo federation's headquarters. Days after the suspension was introduced, sports minister Hugues Ngouelondele had said they would get in touch with FIFA to discuss lifting the ban. FIFA, which had set a number of conditions for lifting the suspension including the return of full control of the federation's headquarters to FECOFOOT, said the requested conditions had been met. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
FIFA lifts Congo Republic's suspension
May 15 (Reuters) - FIFA has lifted its suspension on the Republic of Congo's soccer federation three months after it was imposed over third-party interference in its affairs amid a dispute with the country's sports ministry, the global governing body said on Wednesday. The long-standing dispute had resulted in the closure of some sports facilities and the Congo federation's headquarters. Days after the suspension was introduced, sports minister Hugues Ngouelondele had said they would get in touch with FIFA to discuss lifting the ban. FIFA, which had set a number of conditions for lifting the suspension including the return of full control of the federation's headquarters to FECOFOOT, said the requested conditions had been met.
