Fraud: CAF president arrested

Exactly 15 days to the 32nd edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2019 in Egypt, the CAF president, Ahmad Ahmad was arrested in Berri Hotel in Paris by the French police, on an allegation of misusing funds.

Ahmad was said to be in France to attend the FIFA Congress. Jeune Afrique, a French-language pan-African weekly news magazine, made the announcement and specified that Ahmad will face the anti-corruption agency's Central Office for Combating Corruption and Financial and Tax Crimes (Oclif).

The arrest has reportedly been made due to the President misusing funds of approximately $830,000 after ordering equipment via a French intermediary company called Tactical Steel.

An internal document allegedly disclosed that the African chief had instructed Fahmy, the CAF secretary general to pay $20,000 (£15,256) in bribes into accounts of African football association presidents, which included Cape Verde and Tanzania.

The CAF resident had previously defended against all accusations, claiming all the decisions were made “collegially” and that the process was 'transparent'.

In April, CAF’s head of communications, Nathalie Rabe told Reuters, an international news organization that: "The Confederation of African Football executive committee took the decision on 11 April to revoke (the position) of Amr Fahmy, the secretary general."

"This was a decision taken by the executive committee and I don't know about the allegations.
 
“There’s no explanation. It’s the Executive Committee decision,” he disclosed.
 
Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) released a statement after the alleged arrest of the CAF President, stating that they will not comment on the FIFA Vice President's particular situation while underlining its mission to run football in a clean and transparent manner worldwide. 

FIFA Statement

“FIFA has taken note of the alleged events concerning Mr. Ahmad Ahmad, who is being questioned by the French authorities in relation to allegations related to his mandate while President of CAF.

“FIFA is unaware of the details surrounding this investigation and is therefore not in a position to make any comment on it specifically.

“FIFA is asking the French authorities for any information that might be relevant to investigations taking place within its Ethics Committee.

“As a matter of due process, everyone has the right to the presumption of innocence, but as the FIFA President reiterated yesterday, FIFA is fully committed to eradicating all forms of wrongdoing at any level in football. Anyone found to have committed illicit or illegal acts has no place in football.

“FIFA is now clean from the scandals that tarnished its reputation and this same determination should prevail in governing bodies such a confederation. FIFA will be at the forefront of ensuring that this is enforced by everyone involved in football."