CAF: Ahmad officially resumes after CAS ruling, seeks to revive reelection bid

CONFEDERATION of African Football President Ahmad Ahmad has returned to office following a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Ahmad was removed from office after world governing body FIFA banned him from the sport over corruption allegations.

But he appealed to CAS and they issued a temporary order for him to return to office pending a final, definitive verdict on his case.

CAF confirmed on Sunday night that the 61-year-old from Madagascar had returned officially.

“Following the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announcing the suspension of the sanction pronounced against him by the Judging Chamber of FIFA, Mr. Ahmad Ahmad, President of Confederations of African Football (CAF), has resumed his duties,” the African body said in an official statement signed by Communication Director Alexandre Siewe.

“Last Friday, 29 January 2021, CAS suspended the sanction pronounced by the FIFA adjudication chamber against Mr. Ahmad Ahmad.

“Consequently, he has in fact been restored to his position. At the invitation of the Acting President, Mr. Constant Omari, the CAF Emergency Committee met this Sunday, 31 January 2021 by video conference and noted the decision of CAS.”

As a consequence of the FIFA decision, Ahmad was barred from participating in the CAF presidential election billed for March, and CAS did not restore his place in the race.

He is seeking to seeking to regain the opportunity to run for reelection and is meeting with the CAF Governance Committee to find a resolution.

“Regarding his candidacy for the up-coming CAF elections for the position of President, President Ahmad Ahmad, respectful of the institution’s procedures, will meet CAF Governance Committee on Monday,” CAF added in Sunday’s statement.

Ahmad said: “I warmly thank Constant Omari for having assumed the presidency in recent weeks. In particular, he brilliantly implemented the organization of CHAN TOTAL Cameroon 2020. I will bring this magnificent competition to a close, and allow football, as always, to triumph.”

Ahmad, the former President of the Malagasy Football Federation, was elected President of CAF on 17 March 2017, beating long-term incumbent Issa Hayatou.

He promised to reform the African game but his tenure has been riddled with controversy, including a television deal that has deprived fans on the continent the opportunity to watch their national teams at major competitions.