FIFA emissary to arrive in Ouagadougou to tackle Burkina Faso football crisis

Burkina Faso’s football landscape, mired in crisis for several months, may soon witness a glimmer of hope as FIFA prepares to intervene. Responding to the plea from the clubs embroiled in the turmoil, FIFA has dispatched an emissary expected to arrive in Ouagadougou, the nation’s capital. The emissary’s visit aims to facilitate dialogue between the clubs and the Burkinabè Football Federation (FBF), potentially paving the way for a resolution.

The crisis has brought football activities in Burkina Faso to a standstill, casting a shadow over the sport’s future in the country.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the clubs sought FIFA’s intervention, hoping to broker a solution that would break the impasse between the stakeholders.

Despite FIFA’s initial expectation that activities would resume promptly, the deadlock persists, prompting the organization to send a representative to address the issue on the ground.

Gelson Fernandes, Regional Director of FIFA’s Member Associations division for Africa, will spearhead the efforts to navigate the crisis in Burkina Faso.

Scheduled to arrive in Ouagadougou, Fernandes will engage in a series of crucial meetings with key authorities and stakeholders involved in the dispute.

A pivotal gathering is set for Thursday, March 28, 2024, where Fernandes will meet with representatives from the men’s clubs of both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.

The announcement of Fernandes’ visit comes in the wake of an official communication to the clubs, outlining the objectives of the upcoming discussions.

The primary goal is to foster consensus among all parties involved, aiming to bring an end to the crisis and facilitate the resumption of various football championships across Burkina Faso.

As anticipation builds ahead of Fernandes’ arrival, hopes are high that his intervention will herald a new chapter of cooperation and progress in Burkina Faso’s football landscape.