Accra:Police have taken control of the Djibouti Football Federation (FDF) headquarters as tensions rise over attempts to remove federation president Souleiman Hassan Waberi, who is also a member of the FIFA Council.
According to Ghana Web, the impasse intensified on Monday following an extraordinary general assembly reportedly held by club presidents aiming to oust Waberi and his executive committee. The FDF stated that police entered its national technical center on Sunday without proper documentation and returned on Monday, ordering officials to vacate the premises. Subsequently, 16 club presidents entered the headquarters under police escort and held what the federation describes as an illegitimate assembly.
The FDF argues that the meeting breached its statutes and electoral code, rendering any decisions made there 'null and void.' However, local sources claim the assembly met the required delegate attendance, and a unanimous vote removed Waberi and his committee, appointing an interim committee instead.
Pressure on Waberi has been mounting, with 27 clubs in September announcing intentions to remove the executive committee, alleging sufficient support to trigger an assembly, a claim disputed by the FDF. Government intervention followed, with a directive to convene an assembly within 72 hours.
The FDF has appealed to FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), warning that state involvement could lead to sanctions against Djibouti, affecting its participation in international competitions.
This leadership crisis coincides with an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities within the federation. Waberi and several officials were arrested in September 2024 after a government inspection highlighted issues in financial management. Despite these allegations, Waberi maintains his innocence, citing FIFA's lack of evidence for misuse of funds.
FIFA and CAF provide substantial annual funding to the FDF, and concerns have been raised about unfinished projects and procurement processes. The legitimacy of the assembly and the broader leadership dispute continue to be critical issues under review by FIFA and CAF, with FIFA yet to officially comment on the situation.