CAF
With just over a week until the next president of the African Football Confederation (CAF) is elected, FIFA has asked three candidates to back South Africa's Patrice Motsepe, a source close to one of the four candidates told AFP.
World body FIFA is keen for a fresh start in Africa, the source said, adding, Augustin Senghor (Senegal) and Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania) are open to accepting the proposal of the International Football Federation and becoming vice-presidents themselves. Jacques Anouma of Ivory Coast would be offered a role as advisor to Motsepe.
Motsepe is FIFA's preferred candidate, they want someone new and not implicated in the former presidency," the source said. "They want a better image so they can attract investors and sponsors."
"The idea of FIFA is to put together the four candidates, under the aegis of Morocco, so that they start to an agreement for a common program, and nominate among them only one candidate," said one source.
FIFA did not respond to comment from AFP on Monday.
CAF President Ahmad Ahmad has been slapped with a five-year suspension by the world governing football body, Fifa and he may likely not stand for re-election, even if allowed to do so by the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAF), where he is appealing the suspension.
If Augustin Senghor and Ahmed Yahya seem close to giving in, according to corroborating sources, Jacques Anouma could go alone against Patrice Motsepe.
The CAF Presidential election is scheduled to be held in Rabat, Morocco on March 12.
01:28
CAF unveils 2022-2023 financial report, projects net profit next year
01:40
Madrid coach says Mbappé 'not affected' by reports of investigation in Sweden
Go to video
Ex-Fulham Captain Ronnie Gibbons accuses Mohamed Al Fayed of groping at Harrods
01:09
Nigeria Super Eagles arrive in Abuja, after boycotting AFCON qualifier in Libya
01:15
Deschamps defends Mbappe amid rape accusation and 'fake news' controversy
Go to video
Football: Sir Alex Ferguson leaves Manchester United again