The Criminal Chamber of the Court of First Instance of Tunis sentenced Wadie Jary, the former president of the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF), to four years in prison.
In addition to the prison sentence handed down on Thursday, Jary has been banned from holding any position in sports in the North African country.
This ruling forms part of a case filed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which had accused the former football chief of irregularities and corruption while he was at the helm of Tunisian football.
The case also included a technical manager of a national team, who was brought before the court in a free state.
He received a harsher punishment of six years in prison due to his involvement in a controversial employment contract he signed with the FTF.
Jary’s conviction is a significant step towards Tunisian football governance since he was one of the major actors in the country’s football administration for years.
His rule was consistently marred by controversies, but this court ruling reflects the government’s resolve to enhance accountability and transparency in the sports sector.
The case highlights the growing control of sports administration in Tunisia, as authorities attempt to uphold ethics and prevent misconduct within national sports institutions.
