Mali face World Cup ban after officials fired - Capital Sports
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Features

Mali face World Cup ban after officials fired

Mali supporters react during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Uganda and Mali in Oyem on January 25, 2017

BAMAKO, Mali, March 11 – Mali could be thrown out of the 2018 World Cup qualifying competition after the government sacked the national football federation leaders.

The bottom-of-the-table west Africans are scheduled to play Morocco twice, group leaders Ivory Coast and Gabon this year.

Global football body FIFA does not permit government interference in the sport, resulting in a number of African countries being banned previously.

“The ministerial decision goes against (the independence of the member associations),” a FIFA statement said.

“In case the decision is not cancelled on Friday March 10, the case would automatically be submitted to the FIFA Council bureau for consideration.”

Despite the threat, the Malian sports ministry remained defiant Saturday, saying they want to end “persistent crisis in football.

“It is a government decision and it will not be reversed,” said sports ministry lawyer Amadou Diarra Yalcouye.

“FIFA cannot oblige the government to reverse its decision.

“The sports  ministry will soon set up a committee tasked with reuniting the football family.”

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Mali performed poorly at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, scoring only one goal as they lost to Ghana and drew with Egypt and Uganda.

The country is ranked 12th in Africa and 61st in the world.

Advertisement

More on Capital Sports

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 27 – DStv and GOtv subscribers are in for a treat of the world’s best football this week as the 2020-21...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – There is light at the end of the tunnel. After failed promises over the last three years since its...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 6 – Gentrix Shikangwa scored with two minutes left as Vihiga Queens sailed to the final of the CECAFA regional qualifiers...

NFL

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 13 – Kenya’s history making Daniel Adongo, the first Kenyan to play in America’s National Football League (NFL), is now living...

© 2024 Capital Digital Media. Capital Group Limited. All Rights Reserved