Flashback - Genesis of Gianni Infantino’s greed, brazen corruption, institutional power-grab and Neo-colonialist tendencies

Gianni Infantino - Source (Reuters: Arnd Wiegmann)

By Eromo Egbejule

FIFA has appointed its secretary general Fatma Samoura as 'FIFA General Delegate for Africa' in a bid to improve football governance on the continent.

The biennial Africa Cup of Nations is currently under way in Egypt and the 24 competing nations have got down to the business of playing thrilling football, taking their destiny in their hands. The arrest of Ahmad Ahmad, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), in Paris earlier this month in a corruption-related matter, seems like a distant past.

In the boardroom, however, what has been swept under the table since the embarrassing episode is the autonomy of African football.

Amaju Pinnick, chair of the Nigeria Football Federation and Ahmad’s first vice-president, was next in line to preside over CAF, but has now been side-stepped by FIFA.

The world governing body has taken the novel step of appointing FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura, the world’s most powerful woman in football, to supervise the affairs of CAF.

Senegalese-born Samoura, an astute administrator with decades of experience at the United Nations, has been handed the unusual title of FIFA General Delegate for Africa and will run CAF from August till early next year. The time frame is subject to a six-month extension, at the discretion of FIFA.

In that period FIFA, through Samoura, will conduct a forensic audit that could throw up some more scandals. That is in itself a joke as the current Gianni Infantino led FIFA is itself in need of an even more stringent forensic audit. 

Insiders have suggested that some on the FIFA board are eager to get rid of Samoura because of her outspoken and uncompromising disposition, with Amaju Pinnick, a trusted and utterly corrupt lackey, being touted as a possible replacement for her. 

Amaju Pinnick, who came through the ranks as sports chief in his native Delta State, also has some corruption allegations to face in the Nigerian courts, including presiding over one of the most corrupt and utterly inept NFF boards in the history of Nigerian football. 

To further underscore what may be Zürich’s deep-seated distrust for Pinnick and the rest of Ahmad’s lieutenants in Cairo, FIFA also suspended payments to CAF two days ago. The New York Times reports that the withholding of funds may have been a necessary move in getting the CAF hierarchy to agree to let Samoura take control on the eve of the Africa Cup.

Analysts are saying that the move is an indictment of the African body’s leadership and is a welcome decision to steady a rudderless ship with a greedy captain and crew.

“The clear inference of this decision is that CAF is unable to handle its own affairs and solve its own problems, and that we have to seek the assistance of the master – often outside Africa – to help us clean our mess,” wrote South African daily City Press, in a stinging editorial.

Nigerian journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, writing for Al-Jazeera, revealed that Ahmad had also bankrolled the hajj pilgrimage journeys of a number of African football association heads. “CAF’s unwillingness to honor its own rules and laid-down procedures undermines its credibility as a governing body,” he added.

Disgraced former FIFA executive Sepp Blatter called Samoura’s appointment “new colonialism”, while UEFA’s Aleksander Ceferin said the European football body did not approve of FIFA’s decision.

Editor's Comment: FIFA has no business appointing a so-called "General Delegate" for Africa and the acquiescence of Ahmad and Pinnick to this extraordinary and illegal move is extremely worrisome. It further speaks to the inordinate ambition of African leaders and their willingness to sell their own for the proverbial "sit at the master's table". 

HOW EUROPEAN RELIGION AND IMPERIALISM HINDERED AFRICA'S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

CC™ PersPective

By Yahaya Balogun

"When the healthy people are labeled as sick by the deluded ones, we can't simply sit back and let their chaos erode sanity and decency in our world." - Yahaya Balogun.

"Neo-colonialism is more evil than colonialism. Neo-colonialism has penetrated deeper into the mental palace and consciousness of Africans." - By Yahaya Balogun.

"How Europe Underdeveloped Africa" is a book authored by Walter Rodney. It is a concise book that chronologically exposes the hypocrisy of the brutish British and their co-defilers of Africa. Walter Rodney's timeless book unveils the unsettling truths of today's African world.

Some of the looted and stolen African cultural artifacts were recently discovered in one of the British universities. The newly "born-again" citadel of learning, the University of Aberdeen, was explicitly one of these "fantastically corrupt" imperial universities in Great Britain and the European Union. A panel of experts at the University of Aberdeen unanimously recommended returning the priceless Nigerian artifacts that were looted and stolen (not collections, as embellished by the British media) from Benin City in 1897 by British soldiers. The soon-to-be repatriated Nigerian bronze depicts our grand Oba (King) of Benin. According to BBC News, this Benin antique was acquired by the University of Aberdeen at an auction in 1957. It's sadly bittersweet and heartwarming that moral history is unfolding in this prestigious university.

It's exciting and pertinent to note that the assemblage of plant species nurtures fertile African grounds. The grounds provide the world with nourishing foods in the lands watered by tropical rainfall. Africa was a continent naturally situated in lush green vegetation. The landscapes of Africa provided the much-needed spaces and tranquility the continent of Africa deserved. Africa was the cradle of civilization. But the colonial masters came and bastardized our beautiful cultural inheritance.

Meanwhile, continental Africa was a beautiful regional geopolitical climate with the convergence of ideas brilliantly nestled in our delightful cultural estate sophistication. Africa's cultural renaissance rests on the way forward. We must begin reviving our art and literature under the influence of classical models to reorder our cultural values. Africa is currently under the tutelage of neocolonialism - a distorted and infused cultural identity. Our continent was raped and defiled by the European imperial manipulators, the imperialists we ignorantly presumed brought uncanny and unsettling civilization to Africa—the relish we all glorify today.

European imperialists bequeathed us a neocolonial legacy — a relentless force erasing African cultural identity and heritage. This insidious machine thrives on manipulation, distorting minds through the icy grip of imperialist ideologies. Despite their education, it's startling to witness scholars and professors falling prey to the fallacy of religious miracles over the tenets of medical science.

The ancient times of Africa recorded the best human and natural endowments and development. Still, the brutish British came to Africa through an immoral expedition to defile African well-rounded, rustic, and well-organized cultural representations. The British expeditionists saw the overflow of African resources. They returned to the House of Lords to brief and inform the House members about exploring African natural resources through colonialism. The periods of African usurpation by the British were the dark periods of human history. African cultural heritage was ravished. Our Kings, Queens, and Kingdoms were subjects of tricks, assaults, abuses, and inferiority complexes. The colonial masters made a harmless incursion into the traditional African administration. For their administrative convenience, they indirectly governed Africa through what is now known as "indirect rule." Colonial periods in Africa were the most reprehensible periods in the history of humankind.

The colonial period's institutionalization of gullibility, hypocrisy, bigotry, and religious dogmatism persist. We continue to carry the cross of imperialism to this day through religion, political assemblies, and the denigration and disinformation of African cultures and socio-cultural heritage. The British imperialists promoted their superiority complex in faith, making African cultures and religions sacrilegiously taboo. The British imperialists organized local and assimilated government systems to upend the organized African traditions and their beautiful system of government.

Contentiously, the evil empire and the British axis of imperialism have become subjects of conversation worldwide. After Africa's independence from the colonialists, it attempted to reconstruct its defiled heritage and moral structures. The brutish British empire and imperialists believed that if Africa were entirely independent, liberated, and free from colonialism, it would lead to a socioeconomic disaster for Europe and its Western allies. The British devised a means of recolonizing Africa – this time, it would be through neo-colonialism. As I have said in my recent article, "Neo-colonialism is eviler than colonialism. Neo-colonialism has penetrated deeper into the mental palace and consciousness of Africans." African leaders have perpetuated Africa's neocolonialism and the aftermath of all the evil eras of imperialism.

Furthermore, the lower level of emotion cunningly fostered in Africa provides:

• An enhanced chronic and deliberate ignorance.

• Deliberate indifference.

• Joyful arrogance among our people.

It is important to note that the susceptibility of the African people has absorbed European ways of life, with imperial recipes garnished with ignorance, religious profiteering through "In God's Name PLC," and political opportunism. The African people are currently relishing the above nuances and the cobwebs of neocolonialism.

Charting a new path forward:

Now is the moment to revive and reshape African value systems. We must join forces with the dedicated scholars at the University of Aberdeen to reclaim our looted and stolen artifacts scattered across Europe. As Professor George Boyne, the University’s Principal, remarked, holding onto culturally significant items acquired through unethical means is unjust. The University’s advocacy for the repatriation of the invaluable Benin bronzes marks a pivotal step forward:

• Africans must shed their mental shackles and embrace the richness of their lost cultural identity.

• A deep reflection on the past is needed, empowering ourselves to redefine our values and spark a cultural renaissance.

• It’s essential to dismantle feelings of inferiority and cultivate a sense of confidence within the global community.

• We must hold today's remorseful British leaders accountable for reparations owed for past injustices.

• Collaborative efforts with enlightened British scholars and advocates are crucial for the return of our precious antiquities.

Once regarded as noble custodians, former British imperialists are now seen as glorified thieves, having stripped Africa of its intellectual and cultural treasures while distorting our values and sentencing us to a legacy of confusion and ignorance. Africa deserves to reclaim its status as a cradle of civilization and moral virtue. Before the onset of imperialism, Africa thrived as a beacon of cultural renaissance. To restore her dignity and revive her historical glory, we must rise from the shadows of colonialism.

Flashback: Nigeria - Sultan of Sokoto condemns Boko Haram crackdown

CC™ Editor's Flashback

The sultan of Sokoto, the spiritual leader of Nigeria's Muslims, has condemned the military crackdown against the Islamist Boko Haram sect.

"We cannot solve violence with violence," Mohamed Sa'ad Abubakar told a meeting of religious leaders.

The Boko Haram, based in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, says it is fighting for Islamic rule.

It has been behind recent assassinations of prominent figures and a wave of bombings.

Two years ago, Nigeria's security forces brutally suppressed an uprising by the sect, destroying its compound in Maiduguri - the capital of Borno state - and then capturing and killing its leader Mohammed Yusuf.

Instead of disappearing, the group, which opposes Western education and is fighting for Islamic rule, re-emerged last September and vowed to avenge its leader's death.

Last month, it said it had carried out an attack on the headquarters of the Nigerian police in Abuja, which killed at least six people.

But the response of the security forces has led to criticism from rights group and the governor of Borno state.

Correspondents say many residents of Maiduguri are now more scared of the army than they are of Boko Haram.

"That problem can never be solved by drafting soldiers into cities where there is [a] problem - and in the process innocent lives were lost," said the sultan, who once served as military officer.

It is the first time the sultan has spoken about the Boko Haram insurgency.

Muslim clerics who have criticised the sect have been among those targeted for assassination in drive-by shootings over the past year.

The sultan also said the five policemen who have just gone on trial this month for the killing of Mr Yusuf should not be given bail.

Boko Haram's official name is Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, which in Arabic means "People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad".

But residents of Maiduguri, where it was formed in 2002, dubbed it Boko Haram. 

Loosely translated from the local Hausa language, this means Western education is forbidden.

Boko Haram sees such education as corrupting Muslims.

Nigeria - Africa's most populous nation - is split between the predominately Muslim north and largely Christian south.

Editor’s Commentary - This piece was published on July 29, 2011 and another Southerner, Goodluck Jonathan was President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Sultan Mohamed Sa'ad Abubakar has always been a wolf in sheep’s clothing. In the piece in question from 2011, he (Sultan Abubakar), the leader of Nigeria’s Northern Muslims, vehemently opposed the military crackdown on the terrorists at the time, particularly because it was being led by a Southern Chief of Army Staff, a South-Easterner (Retired Lieutenant general Azubuike Ihejirika) to be precise, and it was also yielding results in terms of decimating the insurgents in a devastating way. 

Sultan Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai and ex-president, Muhammadu Buhari are religious and ethnic Fulani irredentists, who secretly and overtly (as El-Rufai did as Kaduna State Governor) subscribe to the tenets of Fulani supremacy and dominance by any means necessary. The hypocrisy of the Sultan of Sokoto is not debatable and he lacks (and will always lack) credibility when it comes to the twin issue of ethno-religious intolerance in Nigeria, as it relates to the ethnic cleansing in the Middle-Belt and other parts of Nigeria by the Fulani Herdsmen and Boko Haram.

Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) provisionally suspends CAF ruling that stripped Senegal of AFCON 2025 title

CC™ PersPective

By Staff

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has temporarily put on hold the disputed decision that took away Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations title and handed it to Morocco.

In a temporary ruling, CAS upheld Senegal’s appeal against the Confederation of African Football Appeals Board and put a “freeze” on enforcing its decision. This effectively leaves the 2025 AFCON title in legal uncertainty until a full hearing takes place.

The dispute arises from a chaotic final played in January 2026, where Senegal beat hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time. The match took a dramatic turn late when a contentious penalty was awarded to Morocco. Although the spot kick was missed, Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest, causing confusion before play eventually resumed and the match concluded.

A few weeks later, Morocco’s federation contested the result, pointing to AFCON rules on match forfeiture. Around March 17, CAF’s Appeals Board sided with Morocco, deciding that Senegal’s walk-off was a serious enough violation to forfeit the match. The decision flipped the outcome to a 3–0 win for Morocco and stripped Senegal of the title.

Senegal likely to win appeal against CAF at CAS over AFCON title controversy - Raymond Hack

CC™ PersPective

By Staff

Former CAF Disciplinary Board Chairman Raymond Hack believes Senegal will emerge victorious at the Court of Arbitration for Sport after being stripped of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title.

The ruling by CAF’s Appeals Board came after Morocco appealed, citing a breach of tournament rules following Senegal’s 17-minute walk-off during the final, despite the extra-time winner from Pape Gueye sealing victory.

The Senegalese Football Federation called the decision “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable.”

They also announced plans to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"If I was dealing with it [at CAS], my decision will be very clear,” Hack said in an interview with Sports Journalist Robert Marawa.

"The referee is the only person who can bring a game to an end, he brought the game to an end at the end of the extra-time and the winner was Senegal.

[So Senegal remain champions] yes."

Meanwhile, CAF President Patrice Motsepe said they will respect and abide by the outcome of the legal process.

Harvard Finds Negro DNA E1B1A IN ISRAEL: YORUBA JEWS (ISRAELITES) OF GRENADA

CC™ VideoSpective

Jewish Ancestry - Michael Huckabee and the audacious hypocrisy of “spiritual descendancy” vs blood or biological descendancy

CC™ PersPective

By Michael33a Media

CAF faces pressure as Guinea contests Morocco’s 1976 AFCON win

CC™ PersPective

By Staff 

The Guinea Football Federation has urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to review the 1976 AFCON outcome, citing Morocco’s walkout and a recent ruling against Senegal.

The call follows CAF’s decision to overturn the 2025 AFCON result as a sanction on Senegal for a walkout, despite winning on the pitch.

CAF stripped Senegal of the 2025 title 58 days after the tournament, declaring hosts Morocco as champions.

Guinea said similar disciplinary standards should apply to historical matches.

The federation referenced the decisive 1976 clash between Morocco and Guinea, played under a four-team round-robin format.

Morocco needed a draw, while Guinea required victory to win the title.

Guinea led in the 33rd minute through Chérif Souleymane.

Moroccan players briefly walked off in protest over a refereeing decision but later returned to continue the match.

Ahmed Makrouh equalised in the 86th minute, ending the game 1-1.

Morocco topped the group with five points to win the title, while Guinea finished second.

Guinea argued the incident should be reassessed using principles applied in the 2025 ruling.

The federation stated, “Give us back our 1976 AFCON trophy.”

It added that retroactive sanctions should apply where teams left the pitch during play.

The CAF ruling awarding Morocco a 3-0 win after Senegal’s walkout has renewed scrutiny of past matches.

Sports legal analysts noted CAF regulations, including Article 84, were not in force in 1976 and are rarely applied retroactively.

CAF has yet to respond to Guinea’s request.

Observers say the appeal could test CAF’s willingness to revisit historical decisions.

2026 AFCON - Senegal beat Morocco fair and square’ – Rooney slams CAF verdict

CC™ PersPective

By Staff

Ex-England captain, Wayne Rooney, has hit out at the Confederation of African Football, CAF, over the decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to Morocco.

CAF’s Appeal Board has now overturned Senegal’s 1–0 victory.

They adjudged that the Teranga Lions’ walk-off in protest of a stoppage-time penalty breached Articles 82 and 84.

The match was consequently recorded as a 3–0 forfeit in favour of Morocco.

“It’s crazy. If I were a Moroccan player, I wouldn’t accept it. Senegal beat them fair and square,” Rooney said.

“The Senegal team beat them fairly.”

Meanwhile, the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) has confirmed plans to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Man found guilty of murdering landlady, who had predicted her death at his hands

CC™ PersPective

By Staff

A man accused of murdering his landlady with a hammer and burning her body was found guilty this week in Oregon, United States. 

A jury in Clackamas County found Bobby Lee Alsup guilty of the m8rder of Kaley Ann Snow in March 2024, as well as arson, theft, abuse of a corpse and unlawful use of a weapon.

Snow had been renting a room to Alsup at the time of her m8rder.

Snow had predicted her death at Alsup's hands weeks before the crime happened. 

On February 19, 2024, she reportedly sent a text to a friend that read, “I think this dude staying here might try to k!ll me. I’m not afraid to d!e, just afraid of nobody knowing who it was.”

Alsup and Snow had met through Alsup's girlfriend, and he had been renting the room for a few weeks, but was rarely home and was behind on rent. 

A motive for the crime was not clarified, but the Oregonian's reporting indicates that Alsup and the victim were also involved romantically.

"You’ve been gone a while, so I gotta ask what’s up with the room?" Snow asked Alsup in a text, according to testimony from a Clackamas County Sheriff’s detective. "Do you even still want it?"

Alsup reportedly made plans to visit the home on March 17, 2024, but then sent a text to Snow apologizing for not being able to come. But, phone records show he was at the home for four hours that day. 

Detectives said, during that time, Alsup had bludgeoned Snow with a hammer twice before hiding her body in a shed where he "left her to rot."

Three days later, Alsup's girlfriend accused him of strangling her. 

Alsup was arrested and questioned about Snow's disappearance after a tip to police from his girlfriend. 

He denied knowing anything and was released from jail on March 21. 

He then returned to the shed where Snow's body was hidden and set it on fire.

First responders recovered Snow's body as they put out the fire, and her death was ruled a homicide.

Snow's blood was found on the clothes Alsup was wearing at the time of the crime. 

In court, Alsup's defense team argued he had returned to the home where he found Snow d3ad. 

Fearing he would be blamed for her murder, he tried to hide her remains.

However, Senior Deputy District Attorney Stacey Borgman said it was unlikely Alsup had "cleaned up someone else's mess" to avoid charges, saying Alsup's DNA was found all over the crime scene and his digital footprint indicated he was there at the time of the murder.

Alsup will be sentenced on March 25.

The minimum sentence he would receive would be life in prison with the chance of parole in 25 years.