FIFA confirmed that Confederation of African Football President Ahmad Ahmad is "being questioned by French authorities investigating corruption allegations," following reports that he was arrested at his hotel in Paris on Thursday. FIFA also suggested that its ethics committee "has been investigating allegations made against Ahmad." Ahmad’s questioning follows "widespread reporting" in April that CAF Secretary General Amr Fahmy was sacked after he "turned whistleblower" and sent FIFA's ethics committee "a document listing allegations of financial irregularities and sexual harassment" (London GUARDIAN, 6/6).
FIFA President Gianni Infantino "vaguely touched on" CAF's problems on Tuesday. Infantino said, "I know there is a certain amount of turbulence. I would urge you at this difficult point to always keep your cool and keep the spirit of solidarity" (AP, 6/6). Thursday's arrest is understood to "relate to bribery allegations" linked to the '17 switch that CAF made from kit supplier Puma to French company Tactical Steel (PA, 6/6).
