FIFA Appoints Normalization Committee for Togolese Football Amid Rising Tensions
FIFA has officially decided to establish a normalization committee to manage the Togolese Football Federation (FTF), following an Executive Committee meeting. The world football governing body mandated this committee to revise the FTF’s statutes and organize new elections no later than November 30, 2015.
However, the decision has sparked strong opposition among Togolese football stakeholders, particularly the G36 group, composed of club presidents from all divisions and regional leagues. A key member of the G36 stated on a local radio station that a major meeting will take place on Monday, uniting first, second, and third division club presidents, to officially reject FIFA’s normalization plan.
Though the official list of the committee’s members has yet to be formally announced by FIFA, sources confirm that Antoine Folly, former Togolese Minister of Sports, will chair the committee. He will be supported by Assima Kpatcha, Bédinabé, Tommy Sylvestre, and Mr. Amazounou.
This move follows the postponement of an extraordinary congress aimed at adopting a new Electoral Code and electing the Appeals Commission—steps deemed necessary after the arrest of FTF President Gabriel Ameyi over a fraud case. Ameyi’s mandate expired on November 4, 2014, leaving Togolese football in a state of administrative uncertainty.
The coming days will be pivotal, as the normalization committee begins its work amid mounting resistance from domestic football actors.
