Ethiopia: FIFA’s road map to be put into effect
Fifa are trying to sort out problems within the
Ethiopia FA
28 March, 2009
Reporter - After a stand-off that lasted for over two years, pitting Ashebir Woldegiorgis on one hand and the existing general assembly of the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF), on the other the latter yesterday accepted for the first time, the road map proposed by the international football governing body, FIFA.
FIFA could possibly retract its decision to ban the country from international competitions following a unanimous vote by the general assembly supporting its proposal and the outcomes of what is to proceed.
Existing officials of the federation and some club officials had resisted the road map issued by FIFA, vehemently opposing the re-installment of Dr. Ashebir as president.
Last week, FIFA, in its letter, informed Aster Mamo, Minister of Youth and Sports, that it has issued the proposal based on the discussion held with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The new proposal signed by Jerome Valcke, secretary general of FIFA, says that until March 31, all elected or allegedly elected officials other than the administrative staff, currently occupying the EFF headquarters will vacate premises; on that day, EFF president acknowledged by FIFA, Dr. Ashebir, will be allowed reasonable time to recover any documents he might, in good faith, need. Then the office of the president and those of other elected officials will be sealed.
The same day, Dr. Ashebir will send letters of invitation to the members of the EFF informing them about the convening of the general assembly with only one agenda point: motion of dismissal of the president. FIFA and CAF will vet the members’ list.
A general assembly meeting will take place 45 days after, supervised by FIFA and CAF. It will be opened by the EFF president, for the sole purpose of introducing the agenda point. He will then leave the chair to the FIFA and CAF delegation.
The chair will then give the floor to a representative of the proponents of the motion of dismissal. Following that, the EFF president shall have the opportunity to respond. Both statements should not exceed 20 minutes. The motion will then be put to a vote.
If the dismissal motion is accepted by two-third of the assembly, then Dr. Ashebir will relinquish his presidency and an interim committee will be formed in order to convene an elective general assembly after 45 days.
This elective general assembly will be supervised by FIFA and CAF.
If the motion of dismissal is however rejected, Dr. Ashebir will stay on and will convene an elective general assembly for July 15. FIFA and CAF will supervise that election.
FIFA said that once this road map is implemented, FIFA executive committee will be in a position to lift the suspension during its meeting from May 30 to May 31.