CAF president probed for graft in Paris; freed without charge

President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Ahmad Ahmad, was questioned in Paris by French anti-corruption investigators Thursday but was released without charge in the evening.

 

Ahmad was in France to attend the 69th FIFA Congress which ended on Wednesday. His passport has been handed to him, meaning he is free to travel, a section of reports said.

 

The probe by the Central Office for the Fight against Corruption and Financial and Tax Offenses (Oclif) was over a contract that CAF terminated with German equipment manufacturer Puma in favor of Technical Steel.

 

The French authorities said Ahmad forced CAF to buy sportswear through a French company rather than directly from manufacturers and at inflated prices.

 

Ahmad is accused of having influenced this decision, standing to be rewarded with up to $830,000. He has denied the allegations.

 

The world football governing body confirmed the French probe and said it had requested more information. CAF itself has yet to officially comment on the issue.