Souleymane Cisse says FIF election withdrawal was made without any deal

Five days after nominations closed for the presidency of the Federation Ivoirienne de Football (FIF), Racing Club d’Abidjan president Souleymane Cisse has denied claims that he struck a behind-the-scenes agreement before withdrawing from the contest.

Cisse had announced his intention to stand against incumbent Yacine Idriss Diallo but later decided not to proceed. In a lengthy statement published on Facebook, he described the decision as “personal, considered and fully accepted”.

“My withdrawal was not the subject of any bargaining,” Cisse said, adding that he had received “absolutely nothing” in return for stepping aside.

The Racing Club d’Abidjan president specifically rejected suggestions that he had negotiated the club’s continued presence, a vice-president’s role at the FIF or any other personal benefit.

He also said he had not spoken to either of the other candidates involved in the election. Cisse further denied comments attributed to him in the media, stating: “I did not speak to any journalist about this decision.”

Cisse said, however, that ending his bid for the presidency did not mean abandoning his plans for Ivorian football.

“I am not stepping back. I am choosing a path,” he said.

He added that he intended to continue promoting a vision focused on player development, women’s football, local clubs and grassroots investment.

His withdrawal leaves Diallo as the only declared candidate for the election, which is scheduled to take place on 12 September in Yamoussoukro.

Malick Tohe, who had also been considered a potential candidate, has chosen instead to support the incumbent president.

Diallo was elected in April 2022 and is campaigning on his record in office. He has pledged to “continue what we started” by strengthening the reforms introduced during his first term.

The Ivorian national team’s recent achievements provide a significant part of that record. The men’s side won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023, with the tournament staged in early 2024, and this year reached the group phase of a World Cup for the first time.

Those sporting successes have not removed criticism of Diallo’s wider governance of the federation.

Some domestic clubs are calling for greater financial support, while others have threatened to boycott the election. They argue that their economic circumstances remain inadequate and that more resources are needed to sustain football at club level.

Cisse’s statement therefore ends his immediate challenge to Diallo but leaves his wider football ambitions intact. The election will now take place with Diallo as the sole declared candidate, unless the situation changes before the vote in Yamoussoukro.

Louis Mukoma Fargues