Ahmad, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has broken his silence following accusations from his former secretary general, Amr Fahmy. In an exclusive interview with Jeune Afrique, Ahmad addressed the circumstances surrounding Fahmy’s dismissal, allegations of financial mismanagement, and claims of sexual harassment within the organization.
On the matter of Fahmy’s departure, Ahmad was unequivocal. “First, I want to clarify that, contrary to what I have read or heard, Amr Fahmy is not leaving CAF by mutual agreement, but rather through a dismissal. The decision to part ways with him was made several months ago,” Ahmad explained. He added that Fahmy had faced health issues, which prompted the organization to delay the announcement of his dismissal. “We have files on him. That is why we decided not to retain him,” Ahmad stated, emphasizing that the decision was grounded in documented concerns and not personal animosity.
Responding to accusations of personal financial misappropriation, Ahmad defended the governance and transparency of CAF’s operations. “All decisions are made collectively. I am not authorized to make decisions alone,” he said, highlighting the organization’s internal checks and balances. Regarding the purchase of vehicles, which had been cited as an example of alleged misuse of funds, Ahmad clarified: “We determined that systematically leasing vehicles was very expensive, hence the decision to acquire them.” He stressed that the acquisition was intended to be cost-effective for the organization rather than self-serving.
Ahmad also addressed concerns surrounding CAF’s contractual dealings, specifically with Tactical Steel. “The contract with Tactical Steel was conducted transparently. All sums committed by CAF were validated. I regret that some people are trying to undermine our efforts to restore CAF’s image,” he noted, underscoring the organization’s commitment to accountability and transparency.
Perhaps most controversially, Ahmad responded to the allegations of sexual harassment that had been brought to light by Fahmy. “Fahmy had pressured Egyptian employees to say they were being harassed, which they refused to do,” Ahmad claimed. He maintained that these allegations were unfounded and suggested that attempts were being made to misrepresent the internal environment of CAF.
Throughout the interview, Ahmad consistently emphasized the collective nature of decision-making within CAF and sought to portray the organization as transparent and accountable. While he acknowledged the dismissal of Fahmy, he framed it as a necessary administrative decision supported by documentation, rather than a personal vendetta.
The statements come at a sensitive time for CAF, which has faced increasing scrutiny over governance, transparency, and internal management practices. Ahmad’s comments aim to clarify the organization’s stance and counter what he describes as attempts to undermine CAF’s credibility. By publicly addressing the accusations, Ahmad appears determined to protect both his leadership and the integrity of the confederation.
As the controversy continues, all eyes will remain on CAF’s handling of internal disputes and the steps taken to maintain transparency and accountability. Ahmad’s interview with Jeune Afrique offers his side of the story, but it is clear that questions surrounding governance, personnel management, and allegations of misconduct will continue to shape the narrative around African football’s governing body.
