Fifa suspends Congo-Brazzaville from international football

Fifa has suspended Congo-Brazzaville from the international game because of third-party interference in the affairs of the country’s football association (Fecofoot).

The sport’s world governing body said a “particularly serious situation” of undue influence constituted “a clear violation of Fecofoot’s obligations” under Fifa’s statutes.

The decision was taken in consultation with the Confederation of African Football (Caf) after two Fifa/Caf missions were sent to Brazzaville.

A Fifa statement, external said the suspension would only be lifted if a number of conditions were met, including the return of full control of the federation’s headquarters to Fecofoot and desisting from efforts to change the signatories of the organisation’s bank accounts.

The suspension puts the scheduling of Congo’s next two qualifiers for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, against Tanzania and Zambia in March, into doubt.

Congo are bottom of Group E and without a point following the decision by a Fifa disciplinary panel to award Niger a 3-0 victory after the meeting between the two sides in June last year did not go ahead.

The Red Devils were the nominal home side for a match that was scheduled to take place in Kinshasa, in neighbouring DR Congo, because Congo-Brazzaville did not have a stadium fit for internationals.

However, the Congolese did not travel to the game, arguing that a stadium in Brazzaville was suitable to host the match.