Fecofoot suspension: Congolese government tries to put out the fire
After FIFA suspended Fecofoot, the Congolese Prime Minister has been in contact with football's world governing body
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The Congolese Football Federation (Fecofoot) is in turmoil. FIFA has decided to suspend the body over political interference in its running, barring the country from all international competition. The sanction carries heavy consequences, notably for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, in which Congo were due to face Tanzania and Zambia next March. Faced with the crisis, the Congolese government is trying to negotiate a way out with football's world governing body.
A sanction that shakes Congolese football
The suspension stems from direct intervention by the Congolese authorities in Fecofoot's affairs. In September 2024, a general assembly approved the removal of the federation's president, Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas. An ad hoc committee was then set up by Sports Minister Hugues Ngouélondélé to run the national game. The move was seen as a flagrant breach of FIFA's statutes, which guarantee the autonomy of federations and prohibit any political interference.
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Alerted to the situation, FIFA, working with the Confederation of African Football, sent several missions to Brazzaville to remind the local authorities of the need to respect the established rules. Despite those warnings, no solution was found, prompting FIFA to impose a suspension on Fecofoot until further notice.
The Congolese Prime Minister steps in
Aware of what is at stake and of the disastrous consequences of such a suspension for its football, the Congolese government has decided to act. Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso personally contacted FIFA officials, according to information from Sport News Africa, to find out about the situation and understand what must be done to lift the sanction.
But from Zurich the message was clear: no compromise on fundamental principles. FIFA restated its conditions for bringing Fecofoot back into the international football fold:
- Immediate return of control of the FecofootT headquarters, the Ignié technical centre and other facilities to the existing administration led by Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas.
- Cancellation of any attempt to change the authorised signatories on the federation's bank accounts, with those recognised by FIFA and CAF reinstated.
- Dissolution of the ad hoc committee, which has no legitimacy in the eyes of the international bodies.
- A guarantee of independent management, free of outside interference, allowing Fecofoot to operate with full autonomy.
When will it be resolved?
At the end of the talks, both sides parted with a shared willingness to resolve the crisis quickly. A crisis meeting is also scheduled, or may already be under way, at the Congolese Prime Minister's office to try to find an acceptable solution.
It remains to be seen whether the Congolese government will agree to comply with FIFA's demands or look for another way out. For now, Congolese football is in limbo, with an uncertain future on the international stage. The situation could drag on if the authorities do not take the necessary steps to restore order and avoid a prolonged exclusion of the country from global competition.