August 26, 2022
The brief from today:
George Weah helps Sierra Leone
Former PSG and AC Milan forward, and now current president of Liberia, George Weah, has long since left football and moved on to politics, but he is still finding ways to be involved with the sport. His latest gesture has been met with great praise in Africa as it shows a solidarity that isn’t commonly displayed. Neighboring nation, Sierra Leone, is currently on the list of nations that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has prohibited from hosting matches because of their national stadium’s condition. As a result, the Siaka Stadium in Freetown is currently being renovated, but this leaves the national team and local clubs without a fixed location to play home matches. In light of that, the national team have played some of their games in other countries such as: Ghana, Morocco, and Guinea. To do all this, Sierra Leone incurs travel and accommodation expenses, as well as fees related to renting/using the various stadiums in each country. For instance, one of their recent matches in Ghana required a $15,000 payment to the Sports Council in the host nation in addition to other overhead costs. With the scheduled date of completion for the renovations not set to conclude until 2024, this was the financial reality Sierra Leone was facing until George Weah stepped in. The 1995 Ballon d’Or winner showed his understanding of both politcal power, and football, when he instructed the Liberia Ministry of Youth and Sports to allow Sierra Leone to play matches at the Samuel Kanyon Doe stadium in Liberia at no expense. The current sanction CAF has placed on Sierra Leone was also recently experienced by Weah’s Liberia, when they also received the same punishment in 2019. After renovating their national stadium, they are now permitted to host matches again with the first one taking place last month against Senegal. Weah, empathizing with Sierra Leone’s current plight, has sought to ease the burden on the fellow West African nation with this act, and he has been commended for doing so by various football associations on the continent.
George Weah doing his part to promote African solidarity
FIFA lifts India ban
It was only about 10 days ago that FIFA announced the sanctioning of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for “undue influences from third parties”, but that ban has now been lifted. FIFA believes their need to retain administrative control of the governing body in India is no longer required, and the AIFF has been deemed autonomous once again following the approval of guidelines for elections of a new president. The lifting of the ban now clears all levels of Indian football to participate in FIFA tournaments, which means that the country can once again expect to host the Women’s U-17 World Cup in October. Despite today’s decision, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will still be monitoring the AIFF’s daily affairs, and will collaborate with them to ensure presidential elections take place within a reasonable timeframe.
FIFA have granted a reprieve to the AIFF