Gambia threatened with FIFA sanctions

FIFA has refused to recognise the newly-installed interim committee that replaced the dissolved Gambia Football Association (GFA).

Gambia minister of youth and sports Alieu K Jammeh sacked GFA chief Seedy MB Kinteh on Friday and scrapped the body for not making headway in continental and international competitions.

A new team chaired by the honorary life president of the GFA, Alhagie Ousman B. Conateh, was named on Tuesday to run the nation’s football affairs for one year before new elections.

But FIFA has refused to recognise the validity of the interim committee, saying in a statement: “In particular, no governmental instituted ‘interim committee’ would be recognised and/or dealt with by FIFA.”

Some local observers saluted the government’s move while others feared that it could attract sanctions from FIFA.

Gambian clubs Brikama United and Gamtel have qualified to the next round of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively and may be affected if FIFA eventually imposes sanctions.

FIFA has asked the officials who have been ousted to complete a full report on the situation in the country by Thursday.

“Upon expiry of this deadline, the submission of the present case to FIFA’s Emergency Committee will be evaluated,” the FIFA statement said.

“FIFA underlines that any action taken against the GFA’s executive committee would constitute a clear governmental interference and therefore infringe the FIFA statutes which could lead to severe sanctions.”