Ahmad Ahmad

Last updated

Ahmad Ahmad
6th President of CAF
In office
16 March 2017 –12 March 2021

Ahmad Ahmad (born 30 December 1959) is a Malagasy politician and football administrator best known for serving as the 7th president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and vice-president of FIFA from 2017 to 2021.

Contents

Biography

Ahmad Ahmad was born in Madagascar, in the town of Mahajanga, on 30 December 1959. In 1972, he obtained his CEPE at the primary school of Tambohorano, then his BEPC in 1976 and a baccalauréat A in 1979 at the High School of Maintirano. From 1979 to 1981, Ahmad Ahmad followed a preparatory course in public and private law.

In 1981, he entered the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Madagascar, the Tananarive, in the Physical and Sports Education (PES) programme, from which he graduated with a master's degree in 1986.

In 2006, after continuing his studies at the Claude Bernard University of Lyon, Ahmad Ahmad obtained a Master 2 in Sport Management, specializing in "Management of Sports Organisations". Ahmad passed his coaching diplomas with the Malagasy Football Federation (FMF), obtaining the certification of 3rd Degree Federal Coach.

Political and sports career in Madagascar (1986–2017)

Ahmad Ahmad began his career at Tambohorano College (1986–1988) and Mahajanga High School (1988–1989) where he was a Physical and Sports Education (PES) teacher. In 1989, he became a coach at AC Sotema, the Mahajanga football club. In 1988, he became involved in local politics, becoming head of the sports department of the City of Mahajanga until 1993. At the same time, he was Regional Technical Advisor for Football.

After one year as Director of Population and Social Development at the Ministry of Population (1993–1994), Ahmad Ahmad was appointed to the Malagasy Government as Secretary of state in charge of sports (1994–1995). He was then Technical Advisor to the National Assembly (1995–1996), then Director of Cabinet of the Minister of Fisheries and Fishery Resources (1996–1998). In 1998, he was appointed President of the State-owned company SOMACODIS, a position he held until 2003.

Ahmad Ahmad was elected President of the Malagasy Football Federation (FMF) in 2003, and became a member of the executive committee of the African Football Confederation the same year.

Between 2014 and 2016, he was Minister of Fisheries and Fishery Resources. In 2016, he was appointed Senator [1] of Madagascar, vice-president of the Senate by the President of Madagascar Hery Rajaonarimampianina.

In November 2016, Ahmad Ahmad, through the Malagasy Football Federation, of which he has been president since 2003, presented his candidacy for the Presidency of the African Football Confederation, the highest continental body. On this occasion, he faces the Cameroonian Issa Hayatou, who has held the post since 1988. [2]

Presidency of the African Football Confederation (Since 2017)

On 17 March 2017, at the CAF General Assembly in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), the year of the 60th anniversary of the institution, Ahmad Ahmad won the election by obtaining 34 votes out of 54 voters, ending the 29 years presidency of Issa Hayatou. He was elected President of the African Football Confederation and, in fact, vice-president of FIFA.

The first months of his mandate were welcomed, with his reform commitment being regularly highlighted. [3]

In 2017, following the Rabat (Morocco) Symposium, Ahmad proposed to reform the format of African football competitions, including the African Cup of Nations. The new format was accepted, and implemented from the 2019 edition in Egypt, with an enlarged number of participants and the introduction of the VAR to assist refereeing. [4]

However, in 2019, faced with the internal difficulties encountered by the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football to carry out its reforms, Ahmad Ahmad undertook an unprecedented step by requesting a six-month partnership with FIFA, which was accepted by Gianni Infantino, the President of the international organisation, to assist and audit CAF. [5] Some football leaders on the continent will criticise this approach, describing it as "under tutelage". [6] The partnership ends in February 2020, and CAF will use its good results to present a new reform plan: "Transform CAF 2021 [7] ".

On 8 June 2020, Ahmad Ahmad honours a new campaign promise by obtaining the agreement of the Egyptian House of Representatives for the signing of a headquarters agreement between the Egyptian State and CAF valid for 10 years. [8] This agreement allows the continental football organisation to benefit from the status of an international non-governmental organisation, with all the related advantages.

Women's football is also undergoing a historic development under the Presidency of Ahmad Ahmad. In March 2018, in Marrakech (Morocco), CAF is organising the first Symposium on Women's Football [9] to put in place initial development measures. In July 2020, CAF announces the launch of a development strategy for women's football called "It's time it's now [10] " which is based on five main pillars: development, competitions, marketing and promotion, professionalisation and leadership, and social impact.

On 5 July 2020, the executive committee of CAF announced that on Ahmad Ahmad's proposal, the Women's Champions League will be created as of 2021: [11] it is the first women's competition at the Confederation level. On 10 September, it is announced that the first edition will bring together 8 teams. [12]

Between 2017 and 2020, the subsidies paid by the Confederation of African Football to Clubs, National Federations and Councils have greatly increased, making it possible to develop competitions and infrastructures, particularly for the training of young people. [13]

Following four years of Presidency, on 24 October 2020, 46 Presidents of the 54 member associations of CAF called on Ahmad Ahmad to present his candidacy for a second mandate. [14]

On 28 October 2020, through an interview given to the BBC [15] and Jeune Afrique, [16] Ahmad Ahmad announces that he will stand for re-election on 17 March 2021.

However, following his suspension by CAS, he could not stand for election. The South African mining magnate and billionaire Patrice Motsepe, the only candidate, succeeded him as CAF President against the backdrop of accusations of interference by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. [17] [18]

Controversies

On 6 June 2019, he was heard by the Central Office for the Fight against Corruption and Financial and Fiscal Infractions (OCLCIFF) in Paris while attending the FIFA Congress. [19] CAF is suspected of having favoured the company Tactical Steel for the signing of a commitment with CAF to provide equipment for Chan 2018, while breaking the one CAF already had with Puma.

He emerged free and without charge at the end of his hearing.

FIFA ban

On 23 November 2020, he was handed a five-year ban by FIFA over financial misconduct. The FIFA ethics committee found Ahmad had breached his duty of loyalty, offered gifts and other benefits, mismanaged funds and abused his position as the CAF President. Ahmad was also fined 200,000 Swiss francs (US$220,000). [20] On 25 November 2020, Ahmad announced plans to appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. [21]

On 25 November 2020, in response to this sentence, Ahmad Ahmad announced that he would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). [22] On Friday 29 January 2021, CAS announced that it was suspending the decision of the FIFA Judgement Chamber. Ahmad Ahmad then became President of CAF until 12 March 2021, when CAS rendered its final decision: he was found innocent in the Tactical Steel case, partially guilty (not a unanimous decision of CAS) regarding the appropriateness of having accepted the invitation for the pilgrimage to Mecca, and guilty of several unsourced or poorly sourced accounting elements. As a result, CAS lightened the sentence pronounced against him by the FIFA Judgment Chamber, suspending him from all football-related activities for a period of 2 years, together with a fine of 45,000 euros. [23] [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Confederation of African Football</span> Governing body of association football in Africa

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) (in French Confédération Africaine de Football) is the administrative and controlling body for association football, beach soccer, and futsal in Africa. It was established on 8 February 1957 at the Grand Hotel in Khartoum, Sudan by the national football associations of: Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa. following formal discussions between the aforementioned associations at the FIFA Congress held on 7 June 1956 at Avenida Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrice Motsepe</span> South African businessman

Patrice Tlhopane Motsepe is a South African billionaire businessman and football administrator. Since March 2021, he has been president of the Confederation of African Football. He is the founder and executive chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, which has interests in gold, ferrous metals, base metals, and platinum. He sits on several company boards, including being the non-executive chairman of Harmony Gold, the world's 12th largest gold mining company, and the deputy chairman of Sanlam. In 2012, Motsepe was named South Africa's richest man, topping the Sunday Times' annual Rich List with an estimated fortune of $1 billion. Almost a decade later in 2020, Motsepe was ranked as the 1,307th-wealthiest person in the world by Forbes, with a reported fortune of US$3.1 billion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Togo national football team</span> Team representing Togo in international football

The Togo national football team represents Togo in international football and is controlled by the Togolese Football Federation. The national football team of Togo made their debut in the FIFA World Cup in 2006. Their team bus underwent a fatal attack in Angola prior to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. They withdrew and were subsequently banned from the following two tournaments by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). In 2013 for the first time in history, Togo reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. The team represents both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tunisian Football Federation</span> Governing body of association football in Tunisia

The Tunisian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Tunisia. It established in 1957. It became a member in the FIFA in 1960, and in the same year it also became a member of CAF association. It organises the football league, the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1, the Tunisia national football team and the Tunisia women's national football team. It is based in Tunis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Moroccan Football Federation</span> Sport governing body

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation is the governing body of football in Morocco. It was established in 1956. It became a member in the FIFA in 1960, and in the same year it also became a member of CAF. It organizes the football league, the Botola, the Morocco national football team and the Morocco women's national football team. It is based in Rabat. it is also a member of the UAFA and UNAF.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hammadi Agrebi Stadium</span> Sports venue in Tunis, Tunisia

Hammadi Agrebi Stadium, opened as 7 November Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in the sports city of Radès, located in Radès, in the southern suburb of the city Tunis. The stadium was established in 2001 to host the 2001 Mediterranean Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Issa Hayatou</span> Cameroonian basketball player and football executive

Issa Hayatou is a Cameroonian sports executive, former athlete and football administrator best known for serving as the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) between 1988 and 2017. He served as the acting FIFA president until 26 February 2016 as previous president Sepp Blatter was banned from all football-related activities in 2015 as a part of the that year's FIFA corruption investigation. In 2002, he ran for president of FIFA but was defeated by Blatter. He is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moïse Katumbi</span> Democratic Republic of the Congo politician

Moïse Katumbi Chapwe is a Congolese businessman and politician. He was Governor of Katanga Province, located in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, from 2007 to September 2015. He was a member of the People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) until September 2015. He has been described by The Economist as "probably the second most powerful man in the Democratic Republic of Congo after the president, Joseph Kabila". Jeune Afrique named him "African of the Year" in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anas Zniti</span> Moroccan footballer

Anas Zniti is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper and captain for Botola side Raja CA and the Morocco national team. He previously played for Maghreb Fez and AS FAR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burundi women's national football team</span> Womens national association football team representing Burundi

The Burundi women's national football team, nicknamed the Swallows, represents Burundi in women's international football competitions. The team has competed since 2016 in matches recognised by FIFA, the sport's international governing body. A senior national team has been continually inactive, but an under-20 team has played in numerous matches. Further development of football in the country faces challenges found across Africa, including inequality and limited access to education for women. A women's football programme did not exist in Burundi until 2000, and only 455 players had registered for participation on the national level by 2006.

Tarek Bouchamaoui is a Tunisian businessman and football personality, member of the FIFA Council, member of the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and was head of CAF's referees committee from 2011 to 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohamed Mbougar Sarr</span> Senegalese writer

Mohamed Mbougar Sarr is a Senegalese writer. Raised in Diourbel, Senegal and later studying in France, Sarr is the author of four novels as well as a number of award-winning short stories. He won the 2021 Prix Goncourt for his novel La plus secrète mémoire des hommes, becoming the first Sub-Saharan African to do so.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as AFCON 2025 or CAN 2025, is scheduled to be the 35th edition of the biennial African football tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It will be hosted by Morocco for the second time and the first since 1988 in July and August 2025. Morocco was originally scheduled to host the 2015 edition, but withdrew due to fears stemming from the Western African Ebola virus epidemic. Due to FIFA expanding its Club World Cup competition to 32 teams and having it scheduled for June and July that year, this edition of the tournament will be played a month later than was originally scheduled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fouzi Lekjaa</span> Moroccan Politician

Fouzi Lekjaa is a senior Moroccan civil servant, sports executive and politician, who is the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation since 2014, and a member of the FIFA Council since 2021. On 7 October 2021 he was appointed Minister Delegate for the Budget. He also holds the position of President of the CAF Finance Commission and Vice-President of the Commission in charge of the organization of interclub competitions and the management of the club licensing system within CAF.

Kanizat Ibrahim is a Comoran business manager and football administrator. She is the 5th vice president of Confederation of African Football (CAF), making her the first female vice-president and the president of the organizing committee for women's football of CAF.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AS FAR (women)</span> Association football womens club

The Association's Sports of Forces Armed Royal, , is a Moroccan professional women's football club based in Morocco's capital (Rabat-Salé), that competes in Moroccan Women's Championship, the top tier of Moroccan football.

Association Sportive de Mandé is a Malian professional women's football club based in the capital city, Bamako. It currently plays in the Malian Women's Championship, the women's top tier of Malian football. The club is affiliated to AS Mandé, a men's team who previously played in the Malian Première Division.

This article relates the participation of Tunisia during the 2022 FIFA World Cup organized in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December 2022. This is the country's sixth participation in the competition after 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2018. Tunisia meets France, Denmark and Australia in Group D.

References

  1. ↑ "Les membres du Conseil de la FIFA". www.fifa.com (in French). Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  2. ↑ "CAF : Ahmad Ahmad, l'ambitieux challenger d'Issa Hayatou – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). 14 March 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  3. ↑ MATIN, A. I. , LE. "Le Matin – Que retenir du bilan d'Ahmad Ahmad ?". Le Matin (in French). Retrieved 4 November 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ "CAN 2019 : 5 choses à savoir sur l'édition égyptienne – CAN – Football". Sport24 (in French). 21 June 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  5. ↑ "Ahmad Ahmad brigue un deuxième mandat à la tête de la Confédération africaine". L'Équipe (in French). Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  6. ↑ "Quand le président de la FIFA veut faire " la révolution du football africain "". Le Monde.fr (in French). 3 February 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  7. ↑ infos, recevez nos alertes (15 February 2020). "La CAF prépare sa révolution avec le projet "Transform CAF 2021"". Actu Cameroun (in French). Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  8. ↑ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "L'accord de siège de la CAF reçoit l'approbation du parlement égyptien". CAFOnline.com (in French). Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  9. ↑ "CAF : démarrage du symposium sur le football féminin à Marrakech | Challenge.ma". www.challenge.ma. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  10. ↑ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "#ItsTimeItsNow, la stratégie du football féminin de la CAF". CAFOnline.com (in French). Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  11. ↑ Duret, Sebastien. "AFRIQUE – La CAN 2020 annulée, la Ligue des Champions féminine créée". Footofeminin.fr : le football au féminin (in French). Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  12. ↑ "Ligue des champions féminine africaine: un tournoi à 8 pour débuter". RFI (in French). 10 September 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  13. ↑ "L'Expression: Sports – Ahmad Ahmad défend son bilan". L'Expression (in French). Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  14. ↑ "[Tribune] CAF : Ahmad Ahmad doit être candidat à sa réélection – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). 26 October 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  15. ↑ "Caf president Ahmad announces re-election bid". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  16. ↑ "Football – Ahmad Ahmad : " Je suis candidat à un second mandat à la tête de la CAF " – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). 28 October 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  17. ↑ "Motsepe to become Caf president as Ahmad appeal fails". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  18. ↑ "CAF : pourquoi le choix de Motsepe et l'intervention de la Fifa irritent les amateurs de football?". BBC News Afrique (in French). Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  19. ↑ "Football : dans les coulisses de l'affaire Ahmad Ahmad – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). 11 June 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  20. ↑ Dunbar, Graham (AP) (23 November 2020). "African soccer president Ahmad banned for 5 years by FIFA". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  21. ↑ "Ahmad confirms plans to appeal against Fifa ban". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  22. ↑ "Ahmad's CAS appeal against five-year FIFA ban begins". insidethegames. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  23. ↑ "Communications aux médias". www.tas-cas.org (in French). Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  24. ↑ "Motsepe to become Caf president as Ahmad appeal fails". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.