African football chief Ahmad's ban reduced to 2 years

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday shortened the ban of Ahmad Ahmad, head of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), who was sentenced last fall under a cloud of corruption.

Ruling on an appeal, the Lausanne-based court shortened Ahmad’s suspension to two years and also reduced his fine to 50,000 Swiss francs (nearly $53,440), it said in a statement.

Last November FIFA gave Ahmad from the island nation of Madagascar a five-year ban for abusing his position and fined him 200,000 Swiss francs.

FIFA said its Independent Ethics Committee found him guilty of "offering and accepting gifts or other benefits, abuse of position and misappropriation of funds."

Under the new ruling, Ahmad cannot seek another term as CAF president in the March 12 elections in Rabat, Morocco.

In 2017 Ahmad, 61 won the CAF helm, ending the nearly 30-year reign of his predecessor Issa Hayatou.