The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing the possibility of missing out on next year’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and international football due to a looming FIFA ban.
The world football governing body FIFA, has threatened the DR Congo with a potential ban from international due to government interference in the operations of the nation’s Football Association (FECOFA) affairs.
In a letter dated 21nd August 2023, FIFA has issued a warning to the DR Congo following the Ministry of Sports’ attempt to interrupt the execution of the match schedule for the 2023/2024 season.
“Each member association of FIFA, FECOFA in this case, must enjoy independence and autonomy which protects it from any undue interference from third parties, whether state or otherwise. The member associations of FIFA are in fact required by statute to manage their affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties (cf. art. 14, al. 1 lit. i) and art. 19 of the FIFA Statutes)” reads FIFA ’s correspondence to FECOFA.”
“Any breach of these obligations may lead to the sanctions provided for in the FIFA Statutes, which may go as far as the suspension of the federation concerned, even if the influence of a third party is not attributable to the association. member (cf. art. 14 al. 3 of the FIFA Statutes)” continued FIFA in its correspondence.
A ban from international football will see the The Leopards miss out on the upcoming 2023 AFCON to be played in Ivory Coast next year while Congolese clubs will also not be able to feature in this season’s CAF inter-clubs competitions.
