Claude Le Roy warns African football is being “damaged” by FIFA reforms

Claude Le Roy has launched a forceful attack on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, accusing him of placing financial concerns ahead of football and warning that recent decisions are harming the African game.

The 78-year-old French coach made the comments at a news conference on Wednesday, 26 August, as he returned to lead the Republic of the Congo national team.

Le Roy, who has previously managed Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana and Togo, criticised reforms he believes are weakening football across the continent. He specifically referred to the reduced frequency of the Africa Cup of Nations and the planned abolition of the African Nations Championship, commonly known as CHAN.

“We are damaging Africa and we continue to vote for people who damage Africa, who think only about money. Gianni Infantino never talks about football, he only talks about money,” Le Roy said.

His criticism comes as Infantino seeks another term as FIFA president. The Swiss official has faced growing scrutiny over his leadership and the direction of world football, although he retains support from figures including Samuel Eto’o.

Le Roy said decisions taken in recent years were directly opposed to the long-term development of football in Africa. He described CHAN, a tournament reserved for players competing in their domestic leagues, as a vital platform for the continent.

“They have abolished CHAN. It was the only research laboratory there was on this continent, an extraordinary laboratory. Because it does not bring in money, they are getting rid of it. That is killing research on the African continent, killing the construction of stadiums, access roads to stadiums and the improvement of living conditions in countries,” he said.

The Frenchman also urged African football federation leaders to distance themselves from Infantino. He suggested that support for the FIFA president across Africa was no longer as unanimous as it had once appeared.

“I will always fight against these people, until my last breath. He asked me to go to Zurich, I said I had no time to waste,” Le Roy said.

His remarks place him firmly among Infantino’s critics at a time when the FIFA president is campaigning to remain in office. While some prominent African football figures, including former Cameroon international and current football administrator Samuel Eto’o, have defended Infantino, Le Roy said he had chosen to stand with an African game he believes is under threat.

The coach’s return to the Republic of the Congo dugout has therefore been accompanied by a wider intervention on the future of football on the continent. His central concern is that decisions guided by commercial considerations are removing opportunities for local players, limiting football development and undermining the infrastructure around the sport.