The Confederation of African Football has launched an internal investigation into allegations of serious misconduct by its general secretary, Véron Mosengo-Omba, the Guardian has learned.
An emergency meeting held by the Caf president, Patrice Motsepe, with its executive committee on Tuesday – described by senior sources as tense – is understood to have included discussion of claims made in a report by its head of governance, risk and compliance (GRC). The report is believed to have been submitted several months ago but its details were only revealed at Tuesday’s meeting.
The Guardian has seen the report, which includes allegations that Mosengo-Omba – who was appointed in March 2021 – “impeded” members of the GRC department from performing their duties, an accusation that there is a “stressful, unethical and unprofessional environment within the Caf administration”, as well as “repeated cases of inappropriate language” in communications between departments.
Caf has launched an investigation due to pressure from members of the executive committee, with Mosengo-Omba insisting in a statement on X that he would be exonerated. “My efforts to turn around and regularize this institution, which has been disrespected at times, are being sabotaged by an out-of-the-blue report containing grievances without documented proof. The planned independent investigation will expose the falsity & origin of this report,” he wrote.
My efforts to turn around and regularize this institution, which has been disrespected at times, are being sabotaged by an out-of-the-blue report containing grievances without documented proof.
— Véron Mosengo-Omba (@VeronMosengo) July 31, 2024
The planned independent investigation will expose the falsity & origin of this report.
Mosengo-Omba said in an interview with the BBC in July that Caf would be debt-free by next year as a result of improved governance since Motsepe took over in 2021, having inherited a deficit of around £30m. “Motsepe and his executive coming in was, for me, a gift for African football,” said the lawyer, who previously worked as Fifa’s chief member associations officer.
“In 2021, Caf was a toxic company – nobody trusted Caf. When Motsepe came, he put the principle of good governance and integrity in all levels of the organisation. This brings confidence to our partners.”
Caf was contacted for comment.
