Ivorian FA suspends Africa Sports chair

Africa Sports of Abidjan chairman, Alexis Vagba, has been handed a nine months suspension from all football activities by the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF).

According to a communique from the federation to media houses, Alexis has been banned after his club was found culpable of fielding ineligible players in their MTN Ligue 1 tie against Societie Omnisport.

“The chairman of Africa Sports of Abidjan, Mr. Alexis Vagba, has been prohibited from any football activity (administrative, sports or otherwise) from the notification of this decision until December 31, 2019,” read the statement in part.

Vagba has also been handed a fine of FCFA 1 million, an amount supposed to be paid immediately upon receiving the letter from the federation.

Societie Omnisport had filed the complaint arguing that the Abidjan-based outfit fielded 17 ineligible players (who were on the match day team sheet), in a match that was played on March 9 in Yamoussoukro.

On the other hand, Africa Sports have been docked a point that they earned from a 2-2 draw, with Societie Omisports awarded three points and three goals. The club is also required to pay a fine of FCFA 2.5 million.

“The fines must be paid immediately upon notification of this decision. The club responds jointly to the fines imposed on the director. The suspension shall also apply immediately,” said another part of the ruling.

Africa Sports now has 25 points from 20 matches accruing from 6 wins, 7 draws, 7 losses, and a goal difference of negative 7 (scored 17, and conceded 24) with the club’s new league position being 8th.

In the ruling, it was advised that the 17 players will not be fielded until 31^st December 2019 as they were illegally registered from Yamoussoukro Training Center.

The ineligible players:

Kouassi Adjafi Michael, Tioté Kedjouma Treasure, Koffi Konan Roland, N’goran Konan Hyppolyte, Bamba Mohamed Ali, Ouattara Romaric, N’guetta Aboadji Emmanuel, Soumahoro Lancet, Ahossi Stéphane Bedel, Sidibé Fousseni, Sacko Lamine, Joseph Buoy, Zenh Bi, Elloh Franck Wily, Bamba Ali, Cissé Alihou, Sacko Mohamed.