Several important decisions have been taken recently by FIFA and UEFA. Gibraltar should include FIFA, Kosovo is meanwhile a new member of UEFA. In Africa, Benin Federation suspended by FIFA; on Equatorial Guinea, it is excluded from the Olympic Football Tournament 2020.
Equatorial Guinea excluded from the 2020 Women's Olympic Football Tournament
According to an press release of April 11, 2016, Fifa indicated that Equatorial Guinea "will not participate in the preliminary competition of the 2020 Women's Olympic Football Tournament following a decision"Its Disciplinary Committee.
The Football Federation of Equatorial Guinea is indeed recognized "responsible for using false or falsified documents. "The disciplinary committee has"found evidence of the use of two passports with different dates of birth"For a player,"who played several matches in the preliminary competition of the 2016 Women's Olympic Football Tournament"Two birth certificates containing conflicting information concerning the player's parental affiliation were also provided.
In addition to this exclusion from the Olympic Tournament, the Football Federation of Equatorial Guinea was fined CHF 40, a reprimand and a warning in accordance with art. 000, al. 61 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
The player was suspended for ten matches and was fined CHF 2, a reprimand and a warning in accordance with art. 000, al. 61 and 1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
Fifa specifies that other investigations concerning the eligibility of several other players are currently underway.
Gibraltar should join FIFA
On May 2, 2016, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rendered its decision in the context of the proceedings between the Gibraltar Football Federation (GFA) and Fifa.
The GFA had appealed to the CAS against the decision of the Fifa Executive Committee of September 26, 2014, which refused to transmit its application for membership to Congress.
In his award, the CAS partially accepts the request of the GFA. Thus, the Executive Committee is ordered to transmit Gibraltar's request to Congress, which must take the necessary measures, without delay, to admit the GFA as a member of Fifa.
The GFA had already resorted to an award from the CAS, in May 2013, to become a member of UEFA.
Following this decision, Fifa has indicated that his Fifa Council would discuss this matter at its next meeting and decide on the next steps, "including a potential request to update the agenda of the 66th FIFA Congress to submit Gibraltar's candidacy for membership of FIFA".
Kosovo new member of UEFA
Uefa announced on May 3, 2016 that the Kosovar Football Federation (FFK) was "accepted as a member association 55e".
This admission took effect immediately following the vote that took place at the 40th Ordinary UEFA Congress in Budapest.
The simple majority was necessary for the admission of the FFK, which was the subject of 28 votes in favor, 24 votes against and 2 invalid ballots.
"I look forward to welcoming our 55th member"said interim UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis."It was a very democratic process, and very open discussions (took place) between the national associations. We respect Congress vote."
Benin suspended by FIFA
According to the press 11 May 2016, FIFA suspended Benin, "a local court which prevented the holding of the forthcoming elections concerning the Federation".
Fifa in fact prohibits interference by a third party in the life of football. According to its statutes, its members, that is to say the national federations, have the obligation, in particular, to "conduct their affairs independently and ensure that no third party interferes in their affairs" (Article 13.1.i).
Article 13.3 specifies that the violation of this provision entails sanctions, even if the interference of the third party is not attributable to the federation concerned.
This suspension should prevent Benin from participating in the CAN qualifying match against Equatorial Guinea, next June.
