FIFA’s investigatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has opened formal proceedings against three senior officials of the Congolese Football Association over alleged financial misconduct involving FIFA funds.
Those under investigation include FECOFOOT’s president, Jean Guy Mayolas; the General Secretary, Wantete Badji; and the Finance Director, Raoul Kanda.
The development was announced in a statement published on FIFA’s website on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the proceedings follow the review of information and documentation gathered through a FIFA-initiated process.
“This material indicates potential financial irregularities and inconsistencies relating to the use of FIFA-allocated funds.
“Based on this information, the investigatory chamber has determined that there is a prima facie basis to open proceedings for potential breaches of the FIFA Code of Ethics.
“On this basis, the chairperson of the investigatory chamber has decided to open formal proceedings against the following FECOFOOT officials: Jean Guy Mayolas, President of FECOFOOT and a member of the FIFA Media and Communications Committee; Wantete Badji, General Secretary of FECOFOOT; and Raoul Kanda, Finance Director of FECOFOOT,” the governing body said.
FIFA said the conduct under review may constitute violations of several provisions of its Code of Ethics, including Article 29 (misappropriation and misuse of funds), Article 25 (forgery and falsification), Article 20 (conflicts of interest), and Article 21 (offering and accepting gifts and other benefits).
It added that the list of potential violations may be revised as investigations progress.
The global football governing body reiterated its commitment to ensuring the responsible use of its funds and maintaining integrity in football administration across member associations.
FIFA noted that, as the proceedings are ongoing, it would not make further comments at this stage.
PUNCH Online gathered that this development comes weeks after a criminal court in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, convicted Mayolas, his wife, and his son in absentia of embezzling approximately $1.1 million in FIFA funds.
The court sentenced Mayolas to life imprisonment on charges including money laundering, forgery, and misappropriation.
