PRESIDENT KURT EDWIN SIMEON-OKRAKU APPOINTED CHAIRPERSON OF FIFA ANTI-RACISM AND ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE

The 2nd CAF President and President of the Football Association, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the FIFA Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee. His appointment, which spans a four-year term from 2025 to 2029, marks another milestone in his distinguished leadership journey and Ghana’s growing influence in global football governance.

Under this new role, President Simeon-Okraku will lead FIFA’s strategic efforts and reforms aimed at combating racism and all forms of discrimination in football worldwide. His leadership will be instrumental in promoting equality, inclusivity and respect across all levels of the game, from grassroots to the professional stage.

He will be supported by Mark Wade of Bermuda, who has been appointed as Deputy Chairperson, alongside 19 other members from across FIFA’s Member Associations.

Mr. Simeon-Okraku’s appointment underscores FIFA’s confidence in his vision, experience and long-standing commitment to using football as a tool for unity and social transformation.

President Simeon-Okraku previously served as President of the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B) for two consecutive terms before his elevation to the position of 2nd Vice President of CAF, making him the third-highest-ranking official within the Confederation’s governance structure.

Since being elected as GFA President in 2019, and subsequently re-elected in 2023, he has spearheaded a bold transformation agenda that continues to drive growth, transparency, and development within Ghanaian football.

Before ascending to the highest office of Ghanaian football, Mr. Simeon-Okraku served on the Executive Committee of the GFA, contributing to key policy decisions and governance reforms. He also boasts extensive experience in football management, having previously worked as Communications and Marketing Manager of Accra Hearts of Oak, one of Ghana’s most successful clubs.

An alumnus of the University of Liverpool, Mr. Simeon-Okraku holds an MBA in Football Administration, a qualification that has equipped him with the technical and strategic expertise to navigate the evolving landscape of modern football governance.

Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku also holds qualifications and certificates in Journalism, Business Administration, Tourism amongst others.

- Ghana FA

MOTSEPE RE-ELECTED AS LEADER OF AFRICAN FOOTBALL

 

Reuters 

South African mining magnate Patrice Motsepe was re-elected unopposed as Confederation of African Football president at the organisation’s congress in Cairo on Wednesday while four-time African Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto’o won a place on the executive committee.

The 63-year-old Motsepe, whose family trust owns one of the continent’s biggest clubs Mamelodi Sundowns, will serve a second four-year term after being first elected in 2021 when his candidature was also unopposed and heavily backed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Eto'o, president of the Cameroon Football Federation, was elected unopposed as a representative for the central African region on the executive committee less than a week after winning an appeal to stand for the post.

He was excluded by CAF's governance committee in January but appealed his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who ruled in his favour.

Former World Cup footballer Eto'o had been twice banned last year.

Reuters 

In September, FIFA banned him from attending the national team's matches for six months for violating disciplinary regulations, after allegedly verbally abusing match officials at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.

Earlier in the year, CAF banned Eto'o after an inquiry into purported breaches of its ethical and integrity standards when he took up a role as ambassador for a betting company. The ban and a $200,000 fine were later lifted on appeal.

There were five others elected unopposed with Mustapha Ishola Raji of Liberia retaining his seat for another four years, while Bestine Kazadi Ditabala (female representative from the Democratic Republic of Congo), Wallace Karia (Tanzania), Kurt Simeon-Okraku (Ghana) and Sadi Walid (Algeria) are new to the committee.

Elvis Chetty of the Seychelles lost his place when Feizal Sidat (Mozambique) and Samir Sobha of Mauritius were voted in to represent southern Africa on the CAF executive committee.

There was also a vote to decide the six African representatives on the FIFA Council with Hany Abo Rida of Egypt, a member since 2009, and Fouzi Lekjaa of Morocco retaining their places.

Kanizat Ibrahim (Comoros), Hamidou Djibrilla Hima (Niger), Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania) and Souleymane Waberi (Djibouti) were elected for the first time.

Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Christian Radnedge

- Reuters 

PATRICE MOTSEPE AND IRVIN KHOSA MAKE STATEMENTS

MOTSEPE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP