FECOFA restructures Congolese football authority and refereeing

The Fédération Congolaise de Football Association (FECOFA) has issued a circular regarding the restructuring of refereeing and judicial bodies within the federation. Based on statutes modified during the January 2025 general assembly, the decision strips the Ligue Nationale de Football (LINAFOOT) of its authority to train and designate referees and match officials for the first and second divisions. Additionally, LINAFOOT no longer holds disciplinary competence for incidents occurring before, during, or after matches in these divisions.

This restructuring has caused significant controversy in the Congolese sporting community, as it appears to contradict existing statutory provisions and challenges the functional role of LINAFOOT. Former FECOFA president Constant Omari Selemani has also commented on the political climate within the organization. He alleged that a campaign of sabotage, involving FIFA President Gianni Infantino, led to his departure from the presidency and his position on the FIFA Council. Omari claimed that political maneuvering during diplomatic meetings contributed to his decision to resign from the federation he led for 18 years.