SAFA sex case goes to court as official battles to clear his name
December 30 – A senior South African FA official has been accused of sexual harassment and soliciting sexual favours from a young female colleague.
Africa
Cameroon FA trawls Europe looking for new players
December 30 – Cameroon football authorities are on a mission to Europe to try and boost their World Cup hopes.
Fan dies as Malawi Super League finale ends in violence
By Paul Nicholson
December 30 – The deciding game of the Malawi TNM Super League championship was abandoned after 61 minutes after fan violence leading to the death of one fan and many others left injured, six in a serious condition, on Saturday.
Police round-up Ethiopian terrorist ring that targeted World Cup qualifiers
December 20 – Ethiopian police have swooped to arrest five more people suspected of plotting suicide bombings during the country’s World Cup qualifier against Nigeria in October that could have killed scores of fans.
Kenyan fan tragically takes his own life after Man Utd defeat
December 10 – A fanatical Kenyan Manchester United fan, seemingly unable to cope with the club’s recent defeat against Newcastle which put them 13 points adrift of leaders Arsenal in the Premier League table, tragically took his own life.
Kenyan police step up search for missing Eritrean footballers
By Andrew Warshaw
December 3 – Kenyan police are stepping up their search for two Eritrean footballers who went missing during the regional Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, reputed to be the oldest football tournament in Africa.
Algeria’s nationwide World Cup celebrations end in injuries and tragedy
November 21 – The volatile nature of African football has once again led to fatal consequences after what should have been a joyous occasion turned into tragedy.
Nsekera loses battle for Burundi FA to former rebel fighter Ndikuriyo
By Andrew Warshaw
November 19 – President Sepp Blatter’s personal choice as the first elected female member of his executive committee has been ousted by her own federation after nine years in charge. Lydia Nsekera, elected to FIFA’s inner sanctum amid considerable pomp at this year’s Congress in Mauritius, has been replaced as head of the Burundi football association, an untimely blow to global efforts to increase the influence of women football administrators.
Moroccan chaos as FIFA outlaws elections and orders re-vote
By Paul Nicholson
November 18 – The Club World Cup scheduled for Marrakech and Agadir 11-21 December will not be disrupted by an FIFA Emergency Committee ruling that the governing body will not recognise the elections that were held by the Moroccan Football Association (FRMF) on 10 November 2013.
Ghana concern grows over player safety for final World Cup play off in Cairo
By Andrew Warshaw
November 7 – The Ghanaian government has urged FIFA to re-examine allowing the country’s forthcoming World Cup playoff second leg against Egypt to be played in Cairo. Earlier this week FIFA president Sepp Blatter admitted in a video interview that the organisation was looking carefully at its decision in the wake of the continuing violence in Egypt.
Cape Verde appeal to CAS throws Brazil 2014 qualifiers into turmoil
By Andrew Warshaw
October 31 – The climax to the African World Cup playoffs have been thrown into confusion after Cape Verde appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over a FIFA ruling which resulted in them being kicked out of the qualifying competition.
Libya’s Al-Ahly quits football league after shootings and threats
By Mark Baber
October 17 – Libya’s most popular football club, Tripoli’s Al-Ahly, have withdrawn in protest from the newly relaunched Libyan Football League after their coach was shot at while at home, players were threatened and star player Mohamed Al-Maghrabi was shot in the arm.
Egyptian turmoil after heavy loss in Ghana in 2014 qualifier
By Andrew Warshaw
October 17 – Egypt look set to hang on to their American coach Bob Bradley despite Tuesday’s humiliating 6-1 World Cup playoff first leg defeat to Ghana which all but ends the Pharoahs’ dream of reaching next year’s finals.
Zambia protest to FIFA after Congolese club refuses to release players
By Andrew Warshaw
Ocotber 16 – Zambian football has been plunged into a bizarre footballing dispute after three international players refused to travel with the national squad ahead of a 2-0 friendly defeat by Brazil in neutral China.
Chaos in Addis Ababa as Nigerians sack officials and team attacked
By Mark Baber
October 15 – Shortly before the first leg of their World Cup play-off against Ethiopia the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) banned former secretary general, Taiwo Ogunjobi, and the immediate past chairman of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Victor Rumson Baribote, for 10 and 15 years respectively from any football related activity.