African football leadership and financial legal disputes

African football institutions are experiencing significant instability characterized by leadership disputes and legal investigations into financial management.

At the continental level, Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has faced pressure from national federation presidents following a controversial proposal to reconsider the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament cycle. Additionally, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has been reviewing a dispute between the Senegalese Football Federation and CAF regarding the 2025 AFCON final.

National federations are also facing legal scrutiny. In Cameroon, Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroon Football Federation, is under investigation by the Special Criminal Court (TCS) following allegations by the Association of Amateur Football Clubs (ACFAC) regarding the potential misdirection of public funds related to international friendly matches.

In Algeria, legal proceedings have escalated against former leaders of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF). Prosecutors have requested ten-year prison sentences for former presidents Kheïreddine Zetchi, Charaf-Eddine Amara, and Djahid Zefizef, citing alleged financial irregularities and commercial contract issues. The judicial agent for the Treasury is seeking 900 million Algerian dinars in damages.