The Republic of Congo’s Sports Minister, Hugues Ngouelondélé, has announced the government’s intention to engage in discussions with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to lift the recent suspension imposed on the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT).
FIFA announced the immediate suspension of FECOFOOT last week, citing escalating tensions between the Ministry of Sports and the football governing body.
The dispute, which has simmered for several months, reached a boiling point, leading to police intervention and the closure of national sports facilities.
The suspension bars Congo from participating in all international football competitions.
FIFA has laid out clear conditions for reinstatement: FECOFOOT must return its offices and facilities to the executive committee, reverse any unauthorized changes to the federation’s bank account signatories, and guarantee the federation’s autonomy, free from external interference.
Minister Ngouelondélé acknowledged the far-reaching impact of the suspension, affecting players, technical staff, and federation leaders. He suggested that this situation could be an opportunity for a complete overhaul of the country’s football governance structure.
“Isn’t this an opportunity to break completely with the past and build a new foundation?” he questioned.
The Minister expressed deep concern about the current state of Congolese football, describing it as being in “poor health.”
He lamented the technical body’s apparent inability to find solutions, despite government support. He specifically criticized the national league, noting its declining excitement and failure to develop quality players, attributing these issues to corruption and internal manipulation.
While the Minister emphasized the need for reform, he also stressed the importance of swift action to resolve the issues with FIFA and CAF, allowing Congolese football to return to international competition.
