Sports

Tunisian football federation president arrested over corruption charge

Published

1 year ago

October 26, 2023

The President of the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF), Wadie Jary, has been arrested over alleged corrupt practices, the Ministry of Youth and Sports announced on Thursday.

Jary was arrested following a judicial complaint lodged by the ministry concerning the illegality of a contract concluded between the Federation and a technical director, ministry spokesman, Chokri Hamda told journalists at a press conference.

According to Hamda, Jary’s arrest is in connection with a case of “financial corruption within the Federation”.

Jary is also linked to several investigations of match-fixing, money laundering, embezzlement, and corruption, Hamda said.

Though Jary has always refuted the accusations, sports media in the country has often reported deep disagreements between him and the Minister of Youth and Sports, Kamel Deguiche.

In 2020, a heated dispute had broken out between Jary, a former national team player and Taoufik Mkacher, president of the Croissant Sportif de Chebba (CS Chebba) club after the FTF suspended the club, demanding payment of fines and the submission of administrative documents.

The decision was seen by the club as a punitive action for refusing to “play ball” with Jary.

Mkacher and the club’s general secretary were later banned from holding office for two years by the FTF following a Facebook post in which the president of CS, Chebba denounced the FTF president’s “authoritarian” management and lack of transparency, and called for an audit of its finances.

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Sports

Wafcon 2024 draw throws up interesting pairings

Published

14 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The draw for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) holding in Morocco from July 5 to 26 next year which was held on Friday, threw up some interesting match-ups to look forward to as hosts Morocco found themselves in what has been described as the group of death.

The Atlas Lionesses will have to contend with Zambia, DR Congo and Senegal in Group A, while Group B has record 11-time continental champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria slugging it out with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana, just as current defending champions, Banyana Banyana of South Africa will do battle with Ghana, Mali and Tanzania in Group C.

The top two sides in each group will progress to the quarter-finals, alongside the two best third-placed finishers.

Though qualification for the 2024 Wafcon was completed in December last year, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was forced to push the finals into 2025 because of international football’s congested calendar, which included the participation of Nigeria and Zambia at the Olympics.

Morocco also staged the 2022 edition of Wafcon, ending as runners-up, and former international Fatiha Laassiri believes home support will provide “a real advantage” next year.

Wafcon 2024 group draw with world ranking in brackets:

Group A: Morocco (hosts, 59), Zambia (62), Senegal (83), DR Congo (102).

Group B: Nigeria (36), Tunisia (78), Algeria (84), Botswana (153).

Group C: South Africa (holders, 50), Ghana (66), Mali (81), Tanzania (145).

Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.