FIFA Rejects Attempt to Oust Malian FA President Boubacar Baba Diarra
Efforts to remove Boubacar Baba Diarra as president of the Malian Football Federation (Femafoot) have been dismissed by FIFA, casting uncertainty over the future of football in Mali.
Diarra was ousted during an Extraordinary General Assembly held by some football stakeholders in Mali, who claimed to have formed a Normalization Committee to take charge of the federation. However, FIFA has rejected the legitimacy of the move.
In a letter published by Afrik-Foot, FIFA made its position clear:
“We continue to observe that Femafoot believes that the quorum of voting members necessary for the convening and holding of an Extraordinary General Assembly was not met,” the letter stated.
“Consequently, any decision taken by this so-called Extraordinary General Assembly of Femafoot would not be recognized by FIFA.”
The world football governing body reiterated its stance by affirming continued support for the current Femafoot leadership:
“FIFA continues to recognize the Femafoot Executive Committee headed by Mr. Boubacar Baba Diarra.”
The situation raises serious concerns for Malian football. If tensions persist between local football authorities and FIFA, Mali risks possible sanctions or isolation from international competitions.
FIFA has in the past intervened in member associations where governance issues arose, sometimes suspending federations or imposing normalization committees of its own when deemed necessary. For now, however, it appears FIFA considers Diarra’s leadership to be legitimate and any attempt to bypass it as invalid.
With no consensus in sight, the internal crisis threatens to derail football development and competitions in the West African nation.
