Opening the meeting, the CAF President commended the Local Organising Committee of the Africa Cup of Nations Total U-23, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), on the successful hosting of the tournament.
The ExCo then observed a minute of silence in memory of Ahmed Amr Ateya, a volunteer at the Africa Cup of Nations Total U-23, who passed away recently. The CAF President expressed his sympathies and those of the ExCo to Ateya’s family and friends.
Key decisions approved by the CAF ExCo:
- CAF’s first-ever Safety and Security Regulations were ratified, as well as the Emergency Committee’s decision to terminate the CAF/Lagardère Sports contract
- New organizational chart and refereeing reform project were approved
- The lists of the CAF Standing Committees were approved
- Three new award categories, namely, the African Interclubs Player of the Year, the best African Club President and a special recognition award for contributions to society were approved
- FIFA Forward projects for 2020 were approved.
Concerning competitions:
- The recommendations concerning the location of the training sites and the hosting of the groups for the CHAN Cameroon 2020 were approved
- The dates for the final phase of the CHAN Cameroon 2020 (4th – 25th April 2020) were approved
- The Super Cup will take place on 14th February in Doha, Qatar
- The FIFA Club World Cup 2021 representatives from Africa will be the first, second and third place winners of the Champions League 2020/2021
- New formats for youth and women’s competitions based on 12 teams were approved
- Concerning the Women’s CAN 2020, the opening a call to tender was approved
- Due to metrological issues, the dates of the CAN 2021 will be decided jointly by CAF and the Host Country
- The CAF administration will now decide the dates, times and venues of matches after analysis of the opinions of the teams concerned.
During the meeting FIFA Secretary General and General Delegate for Africa, Fatma Samoura presented the ExCo members with an overview of the joint FIFA-CAF Roadmap to Reform, which focuses on financial management, good governance, efficient and professional organisation of competitions and the growth and development of African football.
The CAF President thanked the Fatma Samoura, as well as the FIFA team of experts who are advising and assisting CAF with its reform process, for their commitment to elevating African football to the highest levels. These sentiments were strongly echoed by members of the ExCo.
At the end of the meeting, Special Adviser to Ahmad Ahmad Samuel Eto’o was invited by the CAF President to present a new proposal to the CAF ExCo, the creation of the CAF Foundation. During his address, he said, “We all know the unique role football plays in Africa and how it can unite people and countries and I believe it has the power to change lives. I am delighted to have the opportunity to share the idea of the CAF Foundation with the members of the ExCo today and I hope you share my conviction in this important project.”
Following his presentation, an agreement in principal was reached to give the green light for more reflection on the establishment of the CAF Foundation.
Members of the ExCo were updated on the preparations for the 28th edition of the CAF Awards, its annual event that celebrates African footballers and officials who have distinguished themselves during 2019, which will take place in Egypt on January 7, 2020 with Official Event Partner, the PickAlbatross Hotel Group.
The date and venue for the next meeting of the CAF ExCo will be communicated in due course.