Corruption: CAF President Arrested In Paris

Reports from Paris, France says the President of the African Football Confederation (CAF) Ahmad Ahmad has been allegedly arrested on Thursday morning at a hotel in Paris, where he was staying to attend the FIFA Congress.

According to Jeune Afrique, Ahmad Ahmad was arrested on Thursday morning around 8:30 am at the Berri Hotel in Paris, to be heard by the services of the Central Office for Combating Corruption and Financial and Tax Crimes (OCLCIFF).

 Jeune Afrique say in its report that CAF boss’ arrest may not be unconnected with the contract unilaterally broken by CAF with the German equipment manufacturer Puma to engage with the company Technical Steel, based in La Seyne-sur-Mer.

A signing of a contract which, according to the former secretary general of the continental forum Amr Fahmy, was favoured by the proximity between Ahmad Ahmad and one of the leaders of the French company, whose additional cost would reach 830 000 dollars (739 000 euros).

CAF president in his defence, however denied any foul play in April this year, insisting that “all decisions were made collegially” and “transparent.”

The arrest comes as Ahmad Ahmad was in Paris to attend the FIFA Congress, which resulted in the re-election of President Gianni Infantino.

CAF is currently battling a major controversy with its flagship club competition, the CAF Champions League, ordered to be replayed after Tunisian club, Esperance were declared the winner. Wydad Casablanca walked off the field an hour into the second leg fixture because VAR was unavailable to judge a goal disallowed by the referee.