The Stade du 26 Mars is always talked about. The first was 10 days ago when heavy rains caused the stadium’s lawn to become unusable for the second friendly duel between Mali & Zambia. This was interrupted in the 17th minute. This time, it is the subject of a political decision which authorized Ançardine, a religious group, to celebrate the Maouloud festivities there. His guide, Cherif Ousmane Madani Haïdara is the president of the High Islamic Council of Mali. A powerful imam with whom the Malian transition doesn’t want to share any history. This decision has also upset Malian sports, which believes the March 26 stadium was constructed for football and not the Maouloud celebrations.
CAF: No
Sportsnewafrica has information that indicates that the Ministry of Youth and Sports directed the FEMAFOOTCAF to delay the two matches. Through its Secretary General, the Malian Federation seized the umbrella body for African football.
CAF declined the request as expected. We are happy to inform that the draw for a 2nd additional preliminary round in the 2022/23 Confederation Cup is scheduled for October 18, 2022. The draw for the 2nd additional preliminary round of the 2022/23 Confederation Cup will take place on October 18, 2022. We regret to inform you that such a request cannot be approved unless the Organizing Committee of CAF Interclub competitions recognizes force majeure. Since this is not a case for force majeure, and because the teams that qualify for the 2nd additional round must be decided by October 18, we regret to inform the CAF that they cannot grant a favorable response to your request for a postponement of matches for your clubs in the 2nd preliminary round CAF interclub competitions. “, explained the African Confederation.
Risque of a failure to pay
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, a delegation made up of the leaders of AS Réal and Djoliba AC, traveled to Koulouba to warn the Malian authorities of the consequences of not holding these matches for Malian football. The delegation, which included Kassoum Coulibaly, first vice-president of the federation, Me Famakan Dembélé, president of As Réal and Modibo Coulibaly, general secretary of Djoliba AC, was unable to meet the president of the transition but his special adviser promised to convey the message to the Malian head of state.
” Only by bringing together the different parties can an amicable solution be achieved. We must alert authorities to any problem so that there are no consequences. We have been to Ministry of Youth and Sports. The Secretary General and Chief of Staff welcomed us. We explained to them our reason for visiting. Then, we went to Koulouba. We met the President’s advisor for the same reasons. Football is a problem for youth. According to the President of Transition, if he fails, it’s the Malian youth who are failing. Young people are the ones who make football. We will respect the decisions of the authorities. However, we hope that the two matches will take place at the Stade du 26 Mars on Oct 8 and 9. said Me Famakan Dembele.
If matches are not held, it is considered forfeit. If applicable, “his federation will be responsible for the financial and other consequences to be determined by the interclub commission and or the disciplinary jury. A withdrawal after the second preliminary round results in the forfeiture or loss of the right to entry and a $10,000 fine. Any team that forfeits or refuses to play in the competition following the establishment of the calendar will not be allowed to participate in any CAF interclub competitions in the next two editions.These are the rules that govern competitions between CAFs.
Compromise found
A remarkable meeting was held Thursday morning at headquarters of the Malian Football Federation in order to find a solution. The sports movement planned to organize a march to protest the situation on Friday. At the end of the FEMAFOOT meeting, it was the Minister of Youth and Sports, accompanied by certain sports players, who went to the home of the Ançardines guide to explain to him the consequences of not keeping the matches. Finally, the actors came to an agreement. The matches will be held at Maouloud’s March 26 stadium.
“You know we always have to highlight the importance of having compromises whenever there are difficulties, wherever they come from. After extensive discussions with all actors involved in the Stade du 26 Mars activities, we were able to reach a compromise that will allow for both matches as well as Maouloud at Stade 26 mars. , The Minister in Charge of Sports on the national television channel explained.
Drissa Niono
Source: sportnewsafrica
