Egypt’s general prosecution has referred Confederation of African Football president Issa Hayatou to the country’s Economic Court on charges of violating local anti-monopoly rules.<\/p>\n
CAF Secretary General Hicham El Amrani has also been charged.<\/p>\n
A lawyer representing both parties attended a hearing on Monday.<\/p>\n
With CAF based in Cairo, Egyptian authorities maintain it is governed by local laws.<\/p>\n
The African football body firmly rejects accusations it committed any wrongdoing when signing a multi-million dollar deal with sports agency Lagardere in June 2015.<\/p>\n
“CAF categorically asserts that all claims against it are groundless and without merit,” a statement read.<\/p>\n
“CAF will vigorously defend its position, its right and reputation using all legal means available under international law.”<\/p>\n
The Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA) started to investigate the Lagardere deal in June 2016, prior to asserting – in January 2017 – that Caf had engaged in monopolistic practices that infringed local laws.<\/p>\n
The deal gives Lagardere rights to a variety of African football competitions, including the flagship Africa Cup of Nations, from 2017 until 2028.<\/p>\n
“As a result, the board voted in favour of (referring) Hayatou and El Amrani for criminal prosecution,” said the ECA in a statement dated 8 March.<\/p>\n
Caf stresses that the allegations accusing it of selling rights without opening them for due tender are incorrect.<\/p>\n
The organisation, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this week, maintains it did not sell any broadcasting rights to Lagardere – merely appointing the French company as its marketing and media agent instead.<\/p>\n