FIFA has announced lifting its suspension on Mali’s Football Federation (FEMAFOOT) which took effect on March 17 this year.
Mali was banned from engaging in any global football activities after the country’s Sports Minister dissolved the Executive Committee of FEMAFOOT, a decision that went against FIFA’s “no government intervention policies”.
The move by the world governing body to reverse the ban comes after the Malian Sports Minister reversed his decision to dissolve FEMAFOOT’s Executive Committee.
FIFA confirmed this action in an official statement signed by the governing body’s General Secretary, Fatma Samoura.
“The Bureau of the Council was informed of the new decision of the Minister of Sports (28 April 2107), which annuls decisions (8 March 2017) that they had dissolved the FEMAFOOT Executive Committee and set up a provisional committee to manage the day-to-day affairs of the federation and to facilitate the election of a new executive committee within twelve months.
“Therefore, the Executive Committee of FEMAFOOT, chaired by you, has been resettled …
“In these circumstances, the Bureau of the Council decided to lift the suspension of FEMAFOOT with immediate effect. Consequently, FEMAFOOT again benefits from all of its membership rights in accordance with Art. 13 of the FIFA Statutes.
“As a result, representative teams and FBF clubs can again participate in international competitions, it also means that FEMAFOOT, its members, and officials can once again benefit from the development programs, courses and training provided by FIFA and The Confederation of African Football (CAF).
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“In addition, FIFA member associations may re-establish sports relations with FEMAFOOT and/or its teams…”[/perfectpullquote]
the statement further noted.
FIFA’s action thus clears Mali to participate in the upcoming U-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournament scheduled to kick off in Gabon from May 14th to 28th.
This means that the Junior Eagles will be able to defend their AFCON U-17 title which in turn eliminates Ethiopia who was picked to replace them if the suspension continued past April 30th.
The winners of the AFCON U-17 title will automatically qualify for the World Cup in India starting October 6-28 but the Junior Eagles despite leading as favorites, will have to first outplay Angola, Niger, and Tanzania in Group A.
Featured photo: Getty Images
