Mali "will reform its national football authority and not be swayed by its suspension by FIFA," Minister of Sport Housseïni Amion Guindo said, according to Adama Diarra of REUTERS. FIFA blocked Mali from int'l football on Friday after Guindo sacked the exec committee, following "allegations of fraud during a leadership election last year." He then appointed a provisional committee and ordered the election of a new exec committee "within one year." The decision means the West African country, which is currently 61st in FIFA's world rankings, cannot play int'l matches, including World Cup qualifiers, "until the dispute is resolved to FIFA's satisfaction." Guindo said, "We are a sovereign state, which cannot accept to be dragged around by a sporting body, however powerful it is ... Mali also has the right to enforce the rules in its country" (REUTERS, 3/19). The BBC reported Bamako-based clubs Djoliba and Onze Createurs became the "first casualties" of FIFA's suspension on Mali after they were "stopped from playing in African club competition on Saturday and effectively disqualified." Both clubs had leads from last weekend's first leg matches at home in the second round of the African Confederation Cup, the continent's second-tier club competition. The two clubs had "already set off for their return matches in Ismaili and Kigali but were barred from playing" (BBC, 3/18).
