Former interim President of African soccer governing body (CAF) has been suspended from football related activities by FIFA for breaking its ethics code, the world soccer governing body announced.
Omari was found guilty to have received benefits from Lagardere during negotiations between the French media company and CAF.
The former FIFA council member, who led DR Congo’s Football Federation for 16-years announced his stepping down few weeks ago and will not return to football until 18 June, 2022.
In 2019, Omari oversaw an amendment to the billion-dollar deal that CAF had made with Lagardere Sports in 2015. He is believed to have received in the region of €66,000, which FIFA has requested he pay as a fine.
Omari entered into a plea bargain arrangement with FIFA and in a statement FIFA said: “A formal investigation against Mr Omari was opened on 7 January 2021.”
“[It] concerned certain benefits accepted and received from Lagardere Sports, in relation to the negotiations that he conducted for an agreement between CAF and Lagardere Sports in connection with the commercialisation of certain TV rights licenced to the LCS company and to the collection of the latter’s outstanding debt.
“The negotiations, which were led by Mr Omari on behalf of CAF, resulted in contractual provisions that were particularly detrimental to CAF, causing significant financial damage to the confederation.”
“In this respect, the receipt of benefits created a conflict of interests that detracted from Mr Omari’s ability to perform his dues to CAF with integrity and in an independent and purposeful manner,” the statements reads.
