FIFA and the Confederation of African Football have formally stepped in to address the deepening crisis within Malian football, acknowledging the collapse of the country’s federation leadership and calling for fresh elections.
Mali’s football governance was plunged into turmoil after 13 members of the executive committee of the Malian Football Federation (Femafoot) resigned almost simultaneously, a move that automatically brought an end to the presidency of Mamoutou Touré, widely known as Bavieux.
The mass resignation marked one of the most serious institutional breakdowns in the federation’s history.
The former president had been increasingly isolated within his own executive, with relations deteriorating amid disputes over governance and the direction of reforms aimed at revitalising Malian football.
Tensions had been building for months, particularly over management practices and the perceived lack of structural change to strengthen the country’s national teams.
The situation was further compounded by disappointing sporting results.
Mali’s senior national side exited the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at the quarter-final stage in Morocco, losing 1-0 to eventual champions Senegal on 9 January.
The elimination, which failed to generate significant momentum or public enthusiasm, intensified criticism of the federation’s leadership and strategy.
In a joint statement, FIFA and CAF confirmed that they had “taken note of the vacancy of all positions within the Femafoot Executive Committee following the recent resignation of all its members”.
The two governing bodies recognised the end of Mamoutou Touré’s mandate and outlined the next steps required to restore institutional stability.
Touré, who had previously been detained on suspicion of embezzling Malian public funds before being released in April 2025, had nonetheless enjoyed backing from FIFA, where he served as a council member.
His removal now signals a decisive shift in the international bodies’ approach to the crisis.
According to the joint letter, responsibility for the federation’s day-to-day operations has been entrusted to the secretary general, Sidi Magassa.
His immediate task will be to organise an extraordinary elective General Assembly, tasked with appointing a new executive committee for a four-year term.
FIFA and CAF confirmed that the electoral process will be closely supervised by their representatives, a move designed to ensure transparency and restore confidence in Malian football governance.
The intervention underlines the seriousness of the situation and the determination of the continental and global authorities to see a stable and credible leadership installed.
For Malian football, the coming weeks are expected to be decisive as the federation seeks to turn the page on a prolonged period of uncertainty and rebuild trust both on and off the pitch.
La FIFA et la CAF ont pris acte de la vacance totale du Comité exécutif à la suite des démissions à la Fédération malienne Football !
Le Secrétaire général est chargé d’assurer la gestion des affaires courantes et devra convoquer une Assemblée générale extraordinaire élective,… pic.twitter.com/2ZutEOWHTb
— Lassana Camara (@mauritaniefoot) February 5, 2026
