October 2 – Djiboutian police swooped on the country’s football officials on Monday night (September 30), arresting several key figures including interim president of the Djiboutian Football Federation (FDF), Mohamed Yasin, and former president and the third vice-president of CAF, Souleiman Waberi.
The arrests come after a financial audit by the Djiboutian state that has taken place over several months, with sources saying those arrested are suspected of embezzlement of public funds and money laundering. No formal charges have been issued.
The FDF has long been at odds with Djibouti’s government who have frequently accused it of financial impropriety. Waberi in particular has been the subject of their attention with suspicion around money used for national team travel and more recently over undeclared funding for new facilities.
In 2021 Waberi, newly elected as CAF 3rd Vice President, had to turn to FIFA for help complaining of government interference who accused Waberi of financial mismanagement . Following threats of suspension by FIFA for political interference and a high-profile visit by then General Secretary Fatma Samoura, Waberi was left alone and a travel ban that had been imposed on him lifted.
His current arrest alongside, other FDF officials, comes after he had resigned from the FDF presidency in March. This followed his suspension from all football-related activities by the Djibouti Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Having asked Waberi for details of funding for a new pitch donated by the Moroccan Football Federation, and a building for the federation, the sports ministry suspended him, and began an audit of the FDF’s finances.
Waberi, who was first elected FDF president in 2012 and worked his way up the CAF hierarchy following his support for disgraced former president Ahmad Ahmad, had intended to stand for re-election this year.
It appears that the Djibouti government have decided enough is enough.
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Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/10/02/caf-vp-soulieman-waberi-arrested-djiboutian-police-swoop-football-officials/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-10-02 07:28:57
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