Madagascar Suspend Coach Dupuis Indefinitely

The Malagasy Football Federation (FMF) has suspended its national team head coach Nicolas Dupuis indefinitely ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The decision came up after the French manager was accused of “spending more time pursuing commercial interests for personal publicity” which contradicted with the federations laid down code of conduct.

Dupuis has been in bad news recently for several bad reasons, with the latest being an argument with his employer following an advertisement for a bid to supply new national team kit.

According to reports, the situation led to the coach degrading the FMF on social media pages and on international media stations.

In the meantime, FMF has appointed Eric Rabesandratana to take over as an interim and is expected to be in-charge of June’s opening FIFA World Cup qualifiers at home to Benin.

Dupuis took over as Madagascar coach in 2017  and his contract was extended until the end of 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

He was rewarded for guiding the Indian Ocean nation to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations appearance in Egypt, going on to finish top of Group B, before exiting the tournament in the quarter-finals.

The 53-year-old, however, failed to qualify the Bareas for the next year’s finals which was contributed by their 4-0 defeat in Ethiopia in the penultimate round of qualifying followed by a goalless draw at home to Niger.