Congo Football Chief and Family Sentenced to Life Over Misuse of FIFA Funds

A court in Brazzaville has sentenced the president of the Congolese Football Federation and members of his family to life imprisonment after they were found guilty of embezzling funds provided by FIFA.

The court convicted Jean‑Guy Blaise Mayolas, president of the country’s football federation, along with his wife and son for their role in a financial scandal involving about 1.3 million dollars in FIFA funding.

Prosecutors said the money was meant to support football development in the country, including projects aimed at improving infrastructure and funding the women’s national team. Investigators alleged that large portions of the funds were diverted through shell companies and never used for the intended programs.

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The case also implicated several other officials within the federation. The federation’s secretary general and treasurer received prison sentences after being found guilty of complicity in the financial misconduct.

The ruling marks one of the most severe corruption penalties in African football administration in recent years and highlights growing scrutiny of how international sports funding is managed at the national level.

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