African football: the recommendations of a task force to reform CAF

Text by: David Kalfa Follow

RFI exclusivity. On February 2, 2020 in Rabat, the government of African football, the Executive Committee (ComEx) of the African Football Confederation (CAF), took note of recommendations made to reform the CAF. These recommendations were made in the context of a partnership with FIFA, following an audit by PwC. The mandated African experts propose profound changes in governance within CAF, as well as in its administration.

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The government of African football, the Executive Committee (ComEx) of CAF, now knows what it is supposed to do to reform in depth an African Confederation of football in crisis for several months. Or at least, the ComEx has taken note of the recommendations made by the "Task Force of Reforms" (RTF), composed of five independent African experts. This RTF was set up within the framework of a partnership signed with the International Football Federation (FIFA) in August 2019.

On February 2, 2020 in Rabat, the experts presented a summary of their work (which RFI.fr was able to consult). Their conclusions are based on a long audit carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). And the least we can say is that their recommendations do not reflect the image of the modern institution so vaunted by its president, Ahmad.

A clearer separation of powers and a redefinition of the role of ComEx

Certain recommendations first require the preparation of " new CAF statutes in accordance with the FIFA statutes ". First, there is the question of " introducing a clear separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial bodies ". Secondly, the Executive Committee and the Emergency Committee must be relieved of “ management and administrative responsibilities ” and that the administration be empowered to… “ take administrative decisions ” ( sic ).

In this context, the Task Force suggests that the Executive Committee develop " a new strategic role " in the conduct of African football business. The RTF also believes that the age limit for members of the ComEx (including its president) should be removed and that it would be better to introduce a limit on the number of terms.

Increased internal control

The summary then emphasizes the need to greatly improve internal control at CAF. Among other things, it is necessary to " reorganize the CAF standing committees " by creating in particular " independent judicial bodies " and above all to create a "Review Committee ". The latter would be responsible for carrying out “ eligibility checks on officials and committee members ”, as at FIFA where the probity of members is (supposed to be) scrutinized.

Another emblematic recommendation is the creation of an " Independent Remuneration Committee " which would be responsible for " matters relating to the remuneration of CAF members and committees ".

Decentralization and feminization

Less developed, two aspects are however highlighted by the Task Force. First, decentralization and increased accountability of regional areas (UFOA, CECAFA, COSAFA, etc.). All while redefining the perimeter of these areas and removing linguistic groupings (English, French, etc.). Next, the experts suggest that there should be more women on the Executive Committee and in the other standing committees.

A radical overhaul of services

The following is mainly aimed at the different departments of CAF. And obviously, there is a lot of work. It is indeed necessary to staff CAF " properly in staff ", " review the roles and responsibilities of positions ". Not to mention " regulations for employees (Code of Conduct, Employee Manual, Travel Expenses Directive, etc.) " which are apparently non-existent or not sufficiently applied.

Strengthening ethics

Among the strong measures presented, some concern ethics. There is the idea, no more and no less, of " setting up a whistleblowing hotline […] and a policy against reprisals by whistleblowers ". Experts also propose the publication of a new “ code of discipline and ethics with new rules of procedure ” at CAF.

Strict financial control

Then, a large part is devoted to a sector which has caused a lot of ink to flow concerning CAF in recent months: financial control. There is a need to " strengthen financial management and accountability ", emphasize the authors, but not only. More monitoring also seems necessary. The main solutions indicated in the report: " introduce physical and IT controls ", that " all member associations [of CAF] and areas [have] dedicated bank accounts for CAF funds ", that " all payments [be] made through officially designated bank accounts ”(“ cash and check payments […] must be kept to a bare minimum ”).

Sensitive investigations to continue

The Task Force finally dwells very little on the state of African football itself, something which the boss of FIFA Gianni Infantino has taken care of bluntly , in Rabat. On the other hand, the RTF concludes its synthesis by inviting to continue the “ investigations ” on several subjects, sometimes sensitive:
- the contracts signed by CAF with the marketing companies Lagardère and LC2 (without specifying the period and the nature of the said contracts evaluated)
- the Tactical Steel case (which resulted in Ahmad being heard by French justice)
- checks on payments made by FIFA and CAF " to the 54 national associations member of CAF, as well as to the six CAF zones "
- " the allegations of possible mismanagement and embezzlement " concerning the Center of Excellence in Mbankomo, Cameroon, inaugurated in 2014 by the former presidents of FIFA and CAF, Joseph Blatter and Issa Hayatou.

Note that the experts want the audit carried out by PwC to cover the years 2013 and 2014. Their goal: "to assess the responsibilities " concerning an apparent lack of documentation related to financial transactions before 2015. This could be compared to an investigation into the financial management of CAF during the last term of Issa Hayatou…

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