FIFA has warned that Zambia risks being banned from international football following the country’s sports council’s stance that it does not recognize the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) executive committee.
FIFA Chief Member Officer, Elkhan Mammadov, issued the warning in a letter addressed to the Zambia National Council of Sports (ZNCS) on March 5, 2025.
“We would like to remind you that every member association of FIFA is statutorily obliged to manage its affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties, including the government bodies,” the letter reads.
“Any breach of this obligation may lead to sanctions provided for in the FIFA statutes. As a result, should the transitional committee be indeed established, FAZ would be at risk of breaching the above-mentioned statutory provisions. Should this happen, FIFA will have no option but to submit the matter to its relevant decision-making body for consideration and decision, which might also include the suspension of FAZ."
The world football governing body’s stance followed a letter ZNCS wrote to FIFA proposing establishing a transitional committee, an independent electoral committee, FIFA engagement, and a comprehensive review of the electoral process.
NSCZ penned FIFA ahead of the FAZ elective annual general meeting scheduled for March 29, 2025.
The build-up to the elections has been marred by controversy after the FAZ electoral body disqualified presidential candidates leaving incumbent Andrew Kamanga as the sole contestant only to make a U-turn.
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