Police occupied the headquarters of the Djibouti football federation (FDF) on Monday as a group of club presidents attempted to remove the federation’s president, Souleiman Waberi, a FIFA council member. The standoff marks a dramatic escalation in a weeks-long effort to unseat Waberi and his executive committee.
According to reports, the group of club presidents called an extraordinary general assembly aimed at forcing Waberi out, prompting the deployment of police to the federation’s premises. The situation intensified when officers first entered the national technical centre on Sunday evening before returning in larger numbers on Monday to order Waberi and his supporters to leave.
Key Facts
- Police occupied the Djibouti FA headquarters on Monday.
- A group of club presidents sought to remove president Souleiman Waberi.
- The group called an extraordinary general assembly to oust Waberi and his executive committee.
- Police first entered the national technical centre on Sunday evening.
- On Monday, a larger police contingent ordered Waberi and staff to leave the premises.
What Led to the Occupation?
The conflict within the Djibouti FA has been building for weeks as opposition to Waberi’s leadership mounted among certain club presidents. These opponents organized an extraordinary general assembly, a formal mechanism used by football federations to address urgent matters outside regular meetings.
The assembly reportedly aimed to remove Waberi, who also serves as a member of the FIFA council, alongside members of the executive committee. Such moves typically require specific procedural steps and a quorum of member clubs. The federation responded by alleging that police acted without presenting an administrative document or court order when they first entered the premises on Sunday.
Who Is Affected and What Comes Next?
The internal dispute within the Djibouti FA directly impacts the governance of football in Djibouti and raises broader questions about the stability of its sports administration. With police now controlling the federation’s headquarters, normal operations are likely disrupted.
It remains unclear how FIFA or regional football bodies will respond to the developments. International federations often intervene in cases involving national associations to ensure compliance with statutes and fair play regulations. Whether Waberi retains his position on the FIFA council depends on the outcome of any formal proceedings initiated by the clubs or decisions made by governing authorities.
What We Know — and What We Don’t
Verified by the source:
– Police occupied the Djibouti FA headquarters on Monday.
– Club presidents attempted to remove president Souleiman Waberi.
– An extraordinary general assembly was called for that purpose.
– Police entered the national technical centre on Sunday evening without documentation.
– A larger police presence ordered Waberi and staff to leave on Monday.
Still unconfirmed:
– The legal basis for the police presence.
– The number of clubs supporting the removal attempt.
– Whether Waberi has formally responded to the allegations.
– Any official statement from FIFA regarding Waberi’s council membership.
Why It Matters
Turbulence within national football federations can affect everything from local league scheduling to international representation. In extreme cases, global bodies like FIFA may impose sanctions or suspend member associations to preserve order and integrity in world football.
What To Watch
All eyes now turn to whether the disputed assembly proceeds and if either side secures binding recognition from football authorities. Official statements from FIFA or regional officials could clarify the path forward.
Football | The Guardian reported on these events as they unfolded in Djibouti, highlighting growing unrest within the national football structure.