The investigatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee of FIFA has launched formal proceedings against three senior figures in the Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT) over alleged financial misconduct involving FIFA funds.
Those under investigation are FECOFOOT president Jean Guy Mayolas, General Secretary Wantete Badji and Finance Director Raoul Kanda.
FIFA confirmed the move in a statement published on Wednesday following a review of documentation gathered through its internal process.
“This material indicates potential financial irregularities and inconsistencies relating to the use of FIFA-allocated funds,” the governing body said.
“Based on this information, the investigatory chamber has determined that there is a prima facie basis to open proceedings for potential breaches of the FIFA Code of Ethics.
“On this basis, the chairperson of the investigatory chamber has decided to open formal proceedings against the following FECOFOOT officials: Jean Guy Mayolas, President of FECOFOOT and a member of the FIFA Media and Communications Committee; Wantete Badji, General Secretary of FECOFOOT; and Raoul Kanda, Finance Director of FECOFOOT.”
FIFA added that the conduct under review may breach several provisions of its Code of Ethics, including Article 29 on misappropriation and misuse of funds, Article 25 on forgery and falsification, Article 20 on conflicts of interest, and Article 21 on offering and accepting gifts and other benefits.
The list of possible violations could change as the investigation continues.
The case comes weeks after a criminal court in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, convicted Mayolas, his wife and son in absentia of embezzling about 1.1 million dollars in FIFA funds.
The court handed Mayolas a life sentence on charges including money laundering, forgery and misappropriation.
