The acting head of African soccer, Constant Omari Selemani, has been disqualified from standing in March’s Confederation of African Football elections, effectively ending his tenure on the FIFA Council and as a vice president of CAF.

The FIFA review committee said on Wednesday Selemani had failed the eligibility test for a position on the FIFA Council "because of an ongoing formal investigation by the FIFA ethics committee”.

Selemani and CAF could not immediately be reached for comment.

Selemani had been seeking re-election to the FIFA Council when CAF holds its elections on March 12 in Rabat, Morocco.

FIFA Council members are automatically also members of CAFs executive committee and in mid-2019, Selemani was named CAF’s first vice president by then president Ahmad Ahmad.

Wednesday's decision follows just months after Ahmad was banned.

Ahmad was banned for five years by FIFA in November after being accused of abusing office, mishandling of funds and trading gifts. He has denied any wrongdoing.

There are no details of the ethics committee investigation into Selemani, who was appointed acting head of African football when Ahmad’s ban was announced and will continue until March’s elections.

Ahmad has also been ruled out of March’s elections, where four candidates are seeking the presidency -- Jacques Anouma of the Ivory Coast, Mauritania football association president Ahmed Yahya, Senegal FA president Augustin Senghor and South African billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe.

Five African seats on the FIFA Council will also be determined by the voting of the CAF member countries at the election.

The acting head of African soccer, Constant Omari Selemani, has been disqualified from standing in March’s Confederation of African Football elections, effectively ending his tenure on the FIFA Council and as a vice president of CAF.

The acting head of African soccer, Constant Omari Selemani, has been disqualified from standing in March’s Confederation of African Football elections, effectively ending his tenure on the FIFA Council and as a vice president of CAF. The FIFA review committee said on Wednesday Selemani had failed the eligibility test for a position on the FIFA Council "because of an ongoing formal investigation by the FIFA ethics committee”. Selemani and CAF could not immediately be reached for comment. Selemani had been seeking re-election to the FIFA Council when CAF holds its elections on March 12 in Rabat, Morocco. FIFA Council members are automatically also members of CAFs executive committee and in mid-2019, Selemani was named CAF’s first vice president by then president Ahmad Ahmad. Wednesday's decision follows just months after Ahmad was banned. Ahmad was banned for five years by FIFA in November after being accused of abusing office, mishandling of funds and trading gifts. He has denied any wrongdoing. There are no details of the ethics committee investigation into Selemani, who was appointed acting head of African football when Ahmad’s ban was announced and will continue until March’s elections. Ahmad has also been ruled out of March’s elections, where four candidates are seeking the presidency -- Jacques Anouma of the Ivory Coast, Mauritania football association president Ahmed Yahya, Senegal FA president Augustin Senghor and South African billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe. Five African seats on the FIFA Council will also be determined by the voting of the CAF member countries at the election.

Acting CAF president Selemani disqualified from FIFA elections

Liverpool sharpshooter Mohamed Salah will be a star in demand during 2021 with Egypt wanting him not only for World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but also the Olympic Games. &nbsp;

The record seven-time African champions face between six and eight World Cup matches and two in the Cup of Nations as the continent plays catch-up after 2020 schedules were severely affected by the coronavirus.

Qualifiers for the Olympics are permitted three over-age players in a tournament otherwise restricted to under-23 footballers and Salah tops the Egyptian wish list as they plan for Tokyo. &nbsp;

Here, AFP Sport outlines what lies ahead for African football with a new Confederation of African Football (CAF) president set to be elected in March after incumbent Ahmad Ahmad was banned for five years by FIFA.

<h2>World Cup</h2>

Salah and fellow former African Footballer of the Year Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will come face to face in Group F where Gabon are likely to pose the biggest threat to Egypt.

Libya, who cannot play at home because of a violent struggle for political control of the oil-rich country, and off-form Angola are also in the section and only the team finishing first survive. &nbsp;

African champions Algeria, Tunisia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo are seeded to win the 10 groups and reach the two-leg final phase.

<h2>Cup of Nations</h2>

Among the last 10 champions, 2012 title-holders Zambia are in most danger of missing the 24-team tournament in Cameroon, which has been put back one year to the beginning of 2022 because of Covid-19.

The Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) are last in a group where defending champions Algeria have already qualified, Zimbabwe lie second and Botswana third.&nbsp;

Zambia have lost three of four qualifiers and host Algeria and visit Zimbabwe during March as they try to avoid missing three consecutive Cup of Nations finals.

<h2>Nations Championship</h2>

Hosts Cameroon hope to emulate 2018 champions Morocco and win at home a 16-team competition reserved for footballers playing in their country of birth.

It will be a tough task for the Cameroonians, though, after a change of coaches and disappointing warm-up results for the January 16-February 7 tournament.

Qualifying was riddled with shocks and Algeria, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Senegal were eliminated while former champions Tunisia withdrew after securing a place, citing fixture congestion.&nbsp;

<h2>Olympic Games</h2>

Africa has collected two gold, a silver and two bronze medals from the last seven Olympic Games football tournaments with Nigeria winning in 1996 and Cameroon emulating them four years later.

Neither country will be in Tokyo, however, with Egypt, the Ivory Coast and South Africa the African representatives.

It will be the 11th appearance by Egypt -- a record for an African nation -- and their best showings were finishing fourth at the 1928 Amsterdam and 1964 Tokyo Games.&nbsp;

<h2>Champions League</h2>

Al Ahly of Egypt will not only defend the Champions League title, but also face Renaissance Berkane of Morocco in the CAF Super Cup, and try to improve a poor FIFA Club World Cup record.

The greatest threats to the Red Devils in the Champions League are likely to come from Cairo neighbours Zamalek, Casablanca clubs Raja and Wydad and Esperance Tunis.&nbsp;

Ahly have regularly flopped in the Club World Cup, losing nine of 12 matches in five appearances, including a 5-1 trouncing by Mexicans Monterrey. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>Confederation Cup</h2>

Berkane defeated expensively assembled Egyptian outfit Pyramids in the 2020 final and both look among the strongest contenders again. &nbsp;

Etoile Sahel of Tunisia, the only club to win all five current and past CAF competitions, and 2015 Confederation Cup runners-up Orlando Pirates of South Africa could go far.

Champions League last 32 losers join the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League at the playoffs stage and they could include CS Sfaxien of Tunisia, winners of the Confederation Cup a record three times.

<h2>CAF presidency</h2>

Malagasy Ahmad was a hot favourites to secure a second term as CAF president until FIFA barred him from all football activities for five years.

A FIFA statement said the 60 year old had "breached his duty of loyalty, offered gifts and other benefits, mismanaged funds and abused his position as the CAF president".

With Ahmad sidelined, Ivorian Jacques Anouma, Mauritanian Ahmed Yahya, Senegalese Augustin Senghor and South African Patrice Motsepe will contest the election in Rabat on March 12.

<h2>TV blackout</h2>

Football followers in the many African countries where Johannesburg-based SuperSport provide coverage of CAF competitions will be hoping for the end of a blackout with the Nations Championship looming.

CAF last year ended a $1 billion (815 million euros) contract with French company Lagardere, due to run until 2028, after a Cairo court said the agreement breached Egyptian competition rules.&nbsp;

SuperSport, who screened matches along with Canal+ (French) and BeIN Sports (Arabic), said they could not continue as they had signed a contract with Lagardere. &nbsp;

Liverpool sharpshooter Mohamed Salah will be a star in demand during 2021 with Egypt wanting him not only for World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but also the Olympic Games.

Liverpool sharpshooter Mohamed Salah will be a star in demand during 2021 with Egypt wanting him not only for World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but also the Olympic Games. The record seven-time African champions face between six and eight World Cup matches and two in the Cup of Nations as the continent plays catch-up after 2020 schedules were severely affected by the coronavirus. Qualifiers for the Olympics are permitted three over-age players in a tournament otherwise restricted to under-23 footballers and Salah tops the Egyptian wish list as they plan for Tokyo. Here, AFP Sport outlines what lies ahead for African football with a new Confederation of African Football (CAF) president set to be elected in March after incumbent Ahmad Ahmad was banned for five years by FIFA. World Cup Salah and fellow former African Footballer of the Year Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will come face to face in Group F where Gabon are likely to pose the biggest threat to Egypt. Libya, who cannot play at home because of a violent struggle for political control of the oil-rich country, and off-form Angola are also in the section and only the team finishing first survive. African champions Algeria, Tunisia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo are seeded to win the 10 groups and reach the two-leg final phase. Cup of Nations Among the last 10 champions, 2012 title-holders Zambia are in most danger of missing the 24-team tournament in Cameroon, which has been put back one year to the beginning of 2022 because of Covid-19. The Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) are last in a group where defending champions Algeria have already qualified, Zimbabwe lie second and Botswana third. Zambia have lost three of four qualifiers and host Algeria and visit Zimbabwe during March as they try to avoid missing three consecutive Cup of Nations finals. Nations Championship Hosts Cameroon hope to emulate 2018 champions Morocco and win at home a 16-team competition reserved for footballers playing in their country of birth. It will be a tough task for the Cameroonians, though, after a change of coaches and disappointing warm-up results for the January 16-February 7 tournament. Qualifying was riddled with shocks and Algeria, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Senegal were eliminated while former champions Tunisia withdrew after securing a place, citing fixture congestion. Olympic Games Africa has collected two gold, a silver and two bronze medals from the last seven Olympic Games football tournaments with Nigeria winning in 1996 and Cameroon emulating them four years later. Neither country will be in Tokyo, however, with Egypt, the Ivory Coast and South Africa the African representatives. It will be the 11th appearance by Egypt -- a record for an African nation -- and their best showings were finishing fourth at the 1928 Amsterdam and 1964 Tokyo Games. Champions League Al Ahly of Egypt will not only defend the Champions League title, but also face Renaissance Berkane of Morocco in the CAF Super Cup, and try to improve a poor FIFA Club World Cup record. The greatest threats to the Red Devils in the Champions League are likely to come from Cairo neighbours Zamalek, Casablanca clubs Raja and Wydad and Esperance Tunis. Ahly have regularly flopped in the Club World Cup, losing nine of 12 matches in five appearances, including a 5-1 trouncing by Mexicans Monterrey. Confederation Cup Berkane defeated expensively assembled Egyptian outfit Pyramids in the 2020 final and both look among the strongest contenders again. Etoile Sahel of Tunisia, the only club to win all five current and past CAF competitions, and 2015 Confederation Cup runners-up Orlando Pirates of South Africa could go far. Champions League last 32 losers join the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League at the playoffs stage and they could include CS Sfaxien of Tunisia, winners of the Confederation Cup a record three times. CAF presidency Malagasy Ahmad was a hot favourites to secure a second term as CAF president until FIFA barred him from all football activities for five years. A FIFA statement said the 60 year old had "breached his duty of loyalty, offered gifts and other benefits, mismanaged funds and abused his position as the CAF president". With Ahmad sidelined, Ivorian Jacques Anouma, Mauritanian Ahmed Yahya, Senegalese Augustin Senghor and South African Patrice Motsepe will contest the election in Rabat on March 12. TV blackout Football followers in the many African countries where Johannesburg-based SuperSport provide coverage of CAF competitions will be hoping for the end of a blackout with the Nations Championship looming. CAF last year ended a $1 billion (815 million euros) contract with French company Lagardere, due to run until 2028, after a Cairo court said the agreement breached Egyptian competition rules. SuperSport, who screened matches along with Canal+ (French) and BeIN Sports (Arabic), said they could not continue as they had signed a contract with Lagardere.

Salah faces hectic 2021 with Egypt, CAF to elect new president

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that the unprecedented move to step in and jointly administer <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-expected-to-take-control-over-running-of-african-football-228960&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi8gYvK573jAhWp8HMBHQSSC5MQFjAAegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1jkhv93IGBibCnfwjBMo7n">African football </a>with the regional body CAF will "significantly improve" the sport on the continent.

Infantino also brushed aside suggestions that there was widespread opposition to the move which followed corruption allegations against CAF president Ahmad Ahmad.

FIFA is sending its Senegalese secretary general Fatma Samoura on a ninth-month secondment from August to overhaul CAF which has been plagued by chaos.

Infantino attended a CAF executive committee meeting on Wednesday where members were shown an 11-point plan.

Suggestions in the plan, seen by Reuters, included possible changes to the format of CAF competitions, a review of refereeing and a task force to improve stadium security.

Other points included a review of CAF's judicial bodies, full transparency of money flows and implementation of good governance principles.

"What counts is that we decide to cooperate, that the highest <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-to-stick-with-32-teams-for-2022-football-world-cup-in-qatar-220740&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi8gYvK573jAhWp8HMBHQSSC5MQFjACegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ruQeBI4jrkh5TQgkfUTNr">FIFA </a>administrator is coming to work with CAF...to improve African football significantly," Infantino told reporters.

"This is about democracy. We take on board all comments of everyone and together we try to do our best. The only thing I ask is to judge on us on the results and not on speculation,"&nbsp;Infantino said.

Ahmad was reported in March to <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-fifa-boss-gianni-infantino-booed-at-womens-world-cup-final-ceremony-234012&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi8gYvK573jAhWp8HMBHQSSC5MQFjAFegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3XmnBKM1xFFQ1vF1STH8Wg">FIFA’s </a>ethics committee by CAF general secretary Amr Fahmy, who was then fired.

Further allegations of fraud have recently been made against Ahmad, who was detained and questioned by French authorities in June as part of a corruption investigation.

Ahmad has denied wrongdoing in several media interviews but has not responded to repeated requests by Reuters for comment on the specific allegations against him.

FIFA has confirmed there is an ethics investigation into Ahmad, although he has not been suspended.

The second leg of the African Champions League final was abandoned in May in a row over the absence of the technology when it had been scheduled to be used.

When the referee disallowed an effort by Wydad Casablanca, they stormed off in protest that VAR had not been consulted, even though they had been told before the game that the system was not operational.

Their Tunisian opponents Esperance were initially declared champions but CAF then back-tracked and ordered a replay. Both clubs have since appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), asking to be declared champions.

The ongoing Africa Cup of Nations was only awarded to Egypt in January after the original hosts Cameroon were stripped of the right to stage the tournament.

CAF vice-president Amaju Pinnick said it was wrong to say that FIFA were taking over.

"We want to change the narrative from takeover to partnership and collaboration," he said. "People just feel that they are taking over but it's not the case.

"Basically, it's to strengthen our judicial, our governance and our fiscal discipline.....its pure collaboration," said&nbsp;Pinnick.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that the unprecedented move to step in and jointly administer African football with the regional body CAF will "significantly improve" the sport on the continent.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that the unprecedented move to step in and jointly administer African football with the regional body CAF will "significantly improve" the sport on the continent. Infantino also brushed aside suggestions that there was widespread opposition to the move which followed corruption allegations against CAF president Ahmad Ahmad. FIFA is sending its Senegalese secretary general Fatma Samoura on a ninth-month secondment from August to overhaul CAF which has been plagued by chaos. Infantino attended a CAF executive committee meeting on Wednesday where members were shown an 11-point plan. Suggestions in the plan, seen by Reuters, included possible changes to the format of CAF competitions, a review of refereeing and a task force to improve stadium security. Other points included a review of CAF's judicial bodies, full transparency of money flows and implementation of good governance principles. "What counts is that we decide to cooperate, that the highest FIFA administrator is coming to work with CAF...to improve African football significantly," Infantino told reporters. "This is about democracy. We take on board all comments of everyone and together we try to do our best. The only thing I ask is to judge on us on the results and not on speculation," Infantino said. Ahmad was reported in March to FIFA’s ethics committee by CAF general secretary Amr Fahmy, who was then fired. Further allegations of fraud have recently been made against Ahmad, who was detained and questioned by French authorities in June as part of a corruption investigation. Ahmad has denied wrongdoing in several media interviews but has not responded to repeated requests by Reuters for comment on the specific allegations against him. FIFA has confirmed there is an ethics investigation into Ahmad, although he has not been suspended. The second leg of the African Champions League final was abandoned in May in a row over the absence of the technology when it had been scheduled to be used. When the referee disallowed an effort by Wydad Casablanca, they stormed off in protest that VAR had not been consulted, even though they had been told before the game that the system was not operational. Their Tunisian opponents Esperance were initially declared champions but CAF then back-tracked and ordered a replay. Both clubs have since appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), asking to be declared champions. The ongoing Africa Cup of Nations was only awarded to Egypt in January after the original hosts Cameroon were stripped of the right to stage the tournament. CAF vice-president Amaju Pinnick said it was wrong to say that FIFA were taking over. "We want to change the narrative from takeover to partnership and collaboration," he said. "People just feel that they are taking over but it's not the case. "Basically, it's to strengthen our judicial, our governance and our fiscal discipline.....its pure collaboration," said Pinnick.

Infantino says African football will 'significantly improve' with FIFA help

A drastic and dramatic overhaul of African football is expected to be announced on Thursday, the eve of the kickoff of the African Cup of Nations, in the wake of corruption scandals consuming the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The CAF executive committee took a stunning decision on Wednesday to cede control of the running of the organisation and have FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura parachuted in as "<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-to-stick-with-32-teams-for-2022-football-world-cup-in-qatar-220740&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiU-Iq08PfiAhVFqY8KHTMtBeIQFjABegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3qcqXm7lwjFYI6bVIbphJY">FIFA </a>High Commissioner for Africa", according to sources.

No announcement has been made by African football’s governing body but its beleaguered president Ahmad Ahmad is scheduled to hold a press conference in Cairo on Thursday at 0900 GMT.

Ahmad, who is the subject of an ethics investigation by FIFA after allegations of corruption and sexual misconduct, proposed the idea in a document shared with colleagues on the executive committee, the sources said.

Samoura is to lead a FIFA team that will conduct "a root-and-branch review of the governance of the confederation, oversee the operational management of the organisation, and recommend where needed a series of reform efforts. This will be done in order to put CAF itself on a modern and sound footing, improve its image and reputation and thus ensure that CAF is better equipped to face future challenges and to grasp future opportunities," the document read.

FIFA is to also undertake a forensic audit of the monies they have been giving CAF.

The idea of sending Samoura to Africa is said to have been put together by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CAF vice president Amaju Pinnick in the wake of Ahmad’s brief detention by French police last week for questioning on corruption allegations.

Ahmad, who is seeking to hold onto some semblance of power or even walk away from his post without sanction, had been forced to accept the deal and then propose it to his own colleagues, CAF sources told Reuters on Thursday.

With FIFA seeking to improve football's image, the Ahmad controversy has come as a major embarrassment to Infantino, who has been claiming a new-look, clean and corruption-free <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/chelsea-lose-transfer-ban-appeal-but-can-register-minor-players-says-fifa-217035&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiU-Iq08PfiAhVFqY8KHTMtBeIQFjAIegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3zfSoPzTPOwQBHYqhoeIeF">FIFA</a>.

Ahmad, by virtue of his position as leader of African football, is automatically a FIFA vice president.

African football has been rocked not only by the firing of CAF general secretary Amr Fahmy for whistleblowing but also a walk-off in the Champions League final and the alleged assault on a referee by another of CAF’s vice presidents.

The Cup of Nations kicks off in Cairo on Friday when hosts Egypt take on Zimbabwe.

A drastic and dramatic overhaul of African football is expected to be announced on Thursday, the eve of the kickoff of the African Cup of Nations, in the wake of corruption scandals consuming the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

A drastic and dramatic overhaul of African football is expected to be announced on Thursday, the eve of the kickoff of the African Cup of Nations, in the wake of corruption scandals consuming the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The CAF executive committee took a stunning decision on Wednesday to cede control of the running of the organisation and have FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura parachuted in as "FIFA High Commissioner for Africa", according to sources. No announcement has been made by African football’s governing body but its beleaguered president Ahmad Ahmad is scheduled to hold a press conference in Cairo on Thursday at 0900 GMT. Ahmad, who is the subject of an ethics investigation by FIFA after allegations of corruption and sexual misconduct, proposed the idea in a document shared with colleagues on the executive committee, the sources said. Samoura is to lead a FIFA team that will conduct "a root-and-branch review of the governance of the confederation, oversee the operational management of the organisation, and recommend where needed a series of reform efforts. This will be done in order to put CAF itself on a modern and sound footing, improve its image and reputation and thus ensure that CAF is better equipped to face future challenges and to grasp future opportunities," the document read. FIFA is to also undertake a forensic audit of the monies they have been giving CAF. The idea of sending Samoura to Africa is said to have been put together by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CAF vice president Amaju Pinnick in the wake of Ahmad’s brief detention by French police last week for questioning on corruption allegations. Ahmad, who is seeking to hold onto some semblance of power or even walk away from his post without sanction, had been forced to accept the deal and then propose it to his own colleagues, CAF sources told Reuters on Thursday. With FIFA seeking to improve football's image, the Ahmad controversy has come as a major embarrassment to Infantino, who has been claiming a new-look, clean and corruption-free FIFA. Ahmad, by virtue of his position as leader of African football, is automatically a FIFA vice president. African football has been rocked not only by the firing of CAF general secretary Amr Fahmy for whistleblowing but also a walk-off in the Champions League final and the alleged assault on a referee by another of CAF’s vice presidents. The Cup of Nations kicks off in Cairo on Friday when hosts Egypt take on Zimbabwe.

FIFA expected to overhaul African football after corruption scandal

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Acting CAF president Selemani disqualified from FIFA elections

Salah faces hectic 2021 with Egypt, CAF to elect new president

Infantino says African football will 'significantly improve' with FIFA help

FIFA expected to overhaul African football after corruption scandal