CAF President Ahmad seeks second term but reportedly faces FIFA ban

CAF President Ahmad seeks second term but reportedly faces FIFA ban

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Ahmad will seek a second term as CAF President ©Getty Images

Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Ahmad has confirmed he will stand for a second term, but the official has reportedly been found guilty of ethics breaches.

Ahmad told BBC Sport he had decided to run for re-election after listening to CAF Member Federations.

It follows a statement signed by the heads of Africa’s six regions which revealed 46 Presidents of the continent’s 54 Member Associations had offered their backing to Ahmad securing another four-year term at the helm of the troubled body.

Ahmad, who goes by one name, has been CAF President since 2017.

"As I have previously announced, I said I would pursue a second mandate if the need was there," Ahmad told BBC Sport.

"It's always good during an election to have a rival candidate, but we wait.

"I know that some people are awaiting other things unrelated to the elections - but as for the elections themselves, they all know they cannot beat me given I represent a group of people who want to go forward together."

BBC Sport reported Ahmad faces a ban after being found guilty of ethics breaches by the investigatory chamber of FIFA’s Ethics Committee.

The adjudicatory chamber could deliver a sanction by the end of March, it is claimed.

A sanction could end Ahmad’s re-election bid as the official would be required to pass an eligibility test to remain on the FIFA Council.

The ethics case reportedly relates to a 2017 deal with Tactical Steel.

The deal with the little-known company is allegedly worth four times as much as an arrangement cancelled with sportswear giant Puma.

An associate of CAF President Ahmad, who has denied wrongdoing, has alleged links to Tactical Steel.

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Ahmad's re-election could hinge on an ethics case amid reports he will receive a ban ©Getty Images

The deal was among the findings revealed in an independent auditor earlier this year, which labelled CAF’s accounts as "unreliable and not trustworthy".

FIFA effectively took over control of CAF in July 2019 following a series of allegations levelled at Ahmad, who is from Madagascar.

Secretary general Fatma Samoura was placed in charge of a group overseeing day-to-day operations by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Ahmad was arrested over corruption charges in Paris last June and has also been accused of sexual harassment.

He has not been charged with any offence.

Wadie Jary, President of the Tunisian Football Federation (TFF), has declared his intention to stand for the top job in African football.

He is the second potential challenger from Tunisia after FIFA Council member Tarek Bouchamaoui said he would run for President earlier this month.

But Bouchamaoui's bid has already been dealt a blow as TFF member Hisham Benamran has said the national governing body would support Jary.

Nigerian Football Association President Amaju Pinnick has been touted as another potential challenger to Ahmad.

The CAF Presidential election is due to take place on March 12 in Rabat in Morocco.

In a separate development, CAF has confirmed Ahmad has been forced to self-isolate after testing positive for coronavirus.

"After his arrival in Cairo on Wednesday October 28, Mr. Ahmad Ahmad, President of CAF, presented mild flu symptoms, and submitted to the Covid19 protocol," a CAF statement read.

"Today, the test results are positive.

"The President immediately self-isolate for at least the next 14 days at his hotel.

"All those who have come into contact with Mr. Ahmad over the past seven days - especially during his trip to Morocco for the Confederation Cup - have been informed and requested to take the necessary measures."

By Michael Pavitt 

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