{"id":315051,"date":"2017-04-29T17:56:37","date_gmt":"2017-04-29T17:56:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=315051"},"modified":"2017-04-29T17:56:37","modified_gmt":"2017-04-29T17:56:37","slug":"caf-confirm-malis-suspension-has-been-lifted-by-fifa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=315051","title":{"rendered":"CAF confirm Mali’s suspension has been lifted by Fifa"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that the suspension of Mali’s Football Association (FEMAFOOT) has been lifted by the sport’s world body Fifa.<\/p>\n

Mali were originally banned from global football in March after the country’s Sports Minister Housse\u00efni Amion Guindo had dissolved the executive committee of FEMAFOOT.<\/p>\n

Fifa, who do not look kindly on government interference, had said the ban would only be lifted when the FEMAFOOT board was reinstated.<\/p>\n

On Saturday, CAF announced that a letter dated 28 April 2017 and signed by Fifa Secretary General Fatma Samoura<\/i> had confirmed the reinstatement of FEMAFOOT’s executive committee, thereby allowing Mali back into the international fold.<\/p>\n

CAF say Mali are now clear to participate in the Under 17 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon from 14 to 28 May 2017.<\/p>\n

Ethiopia would have replaced holders Mali at the tournament if the suspension had not been lifted.<\/p>\n

Mali will be based in Libreville for the U-17s Nations Cup and are set to play in Group B alongside Angola, Niger and Tanzania.<\/p>\n

The hosts Gabon will take on Cameroon, Ghana and Guinea in Port Gentil in Group A.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n