FIFA lift the Sudanese suspension

CAIRO –13 July 2017: The Confederation of African Football (CAF) received an official letter from the international football federation FIFA confirming they have lifted the suspension of football-related activities in Sudan, following a recent crisis, which led to the ban being enacted.

An official source in CAF said in a statement to Egypt Today that Sudanese football will resume shortly once the suspension is officially lifted.

The Sudanese clubs will return to participate in the continental competition after three Sudanese teams; Al-Hilal, Al-Merrikh and Hilal SC, were suspended in the final stages of the African Champions League and the CAF Confederations Cup.

Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh were participating in the African Champions League, while the Al-Hilal SC represented Sudan in the CAF Confederations Cup.

A dispute broke out between Ser Al Khatm and the Mu'tasim Jaafar groups, which are recognized by FIFA as the two groups that run football in Sudan.

The Ser Al Khatm group controlled the Sudanese Football Association buildings through the use of police forces by a judicial order, which FIFA considered to be a governmental intervention in sports affairs.

The parties involved have since reached a friendly agreement to resolve the crisis.