FIFA Orders Fresh Elections For Guinea-Bissau FA

World governing body FIFA has ordered the Guinea-Bissau Football Association (FFGB) to hold fresh elections for a new executive following August 8 controversial poll.

FIFA says it will approve an independent panel to supervise the elections which must be held no later than September 30.

The FFGB has been rocked in crisis since July following the suspension of its president Manuel Nascimento Lopes by FIFA for his involvement over an incident of mob justice.

A difference in opinion among members of electoral commission resulted in a section of some delegates holding contentious elections where they voted Fernando Tavares as the new FA president.

“I received the document last night Thursday (28.08), from FIFA, which invalidated the FFGB elections on August 08, because the FFGB statutory standards were not met, highlighting Article 28 “, FFGB General Secretary Virginia da Cruz told Radio Bissau.

“They have called for revision of FFGB statutes where the elections will be supervised by an independent electoral body.”

FIFA is reported to have listed a list of concerns regarding the disputed August 8 FFGB elections.

They include questionable interpretation of statutes, requests for submission of unwarranted documentation from candidates, and also involvement of suspended FFGB president Lopez in the exercise.

In a letter to the FFGB General Secretary Virgnia da Cruz says the decisions of the independent committee are to be considered final and binding. FIFA and CAF have said that they will monitor the next FFGB executive elections.