A World Champion at 9 and his name is Tani

At eight-years-old, Tanitoluwa Adewumi was already a ‘Champion’ after winning the K-3 New York State Chess Championship after playing the game for only one year.

The Nigerian-born schoolboy, who began playing the game just to pass the time whilst sitting in his father’s shop in Abuja, was beating all before him from the get-go.

It was after his father, Kayode, who ran a print shop in his homeland and accountant mother, Oluwatoyin, took him and his brother, Adesina Austin, immigrated to the United States – having (being Christians) sought religious asylum amid the political turmoil being undertaken back home by the Boko Haram organisation.

Whilst being homeless in a foreign country, his parents making it one of their priorities to maintain the education of their children, Tani was enrolled into an elementary school and, as during his early days there, he was introduced to a chess club by one of the teachers and in 2018 he played in his first tournament.

In 2019 Tani competed in the Annual New York State Scholarship Championships where he was graded eighth out of 74 competitors – with a large number of whom were from well-to-do families and could afford private tuition.

His youthful, aggressive style of play would get learned academics making scientific studies of his application to the game.

Leading YouTube chess stream ‘agadmator’ took time to publish and analyse his game.

Legendary former World Champion, Garry Kasporaov, heaped massive praise on the achievement by a refugee immigrant in America.

And, back in his native Nigeria, Abike Dabiri, the Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora to the president, Muhammad Buhari, called Tani; “a pride of the nation”.

Back in the US, he was getting attention throughout, which includes invites to meet former president Bill Clinton and being interviewed on some of the country’s leading broadcasting organisations – all keen to find out more about the enigma that is Tanitoluwa Adewumi.

Furthermore, he was getting funding support – the likes of which would set him, and his family, up educationally and wellbeing-wise from then on.

A total in excess of $254,000 was raised, with offers of accommodation, for him and his family, on-going education, chess books and even cars were pouring in - in droves.

There is now even a trust called the ‘Tanitoluwa Adewumi Foundation’ which is set up to help other children who are in similar situations to him.

With the ambition to becoming the youngest ever chess Grandmaster, three of Hollywood’s leading film companies are trying to outbid each other for the rights to tell his story.

His autobiography; ‘My Name Is Tani’, is already out in book stores.

A2B Radio Cars supporting local cricket club

Birmingham’s biggest private hire operator, A2B Radio Cars, has partnered with Knowle & Dorridge Cricket Club as their official ride partner.

Absent Afcon qualifiers teams to forfeit games

Any national team unable to play in upcoming qualifying matches for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations due to Covid restrictions will be deemed to have lost the game 2-0, new guidelines say.

The guidelines, put out by the Confederation of African Football (Caf), also say a team will be considered to have lost 2-0 if it is unable to field the minimum number of players required - 11 plus four substitutes.

Normally, squads for these qualifying matches would be much larger, but some national team managers have expressed concern about their ability to get players, especially those based in Europe, to play in Africa amidst fears they could get Covid.

During the last break, Crystal Palace's Jordan Ayew and Liverpool's Naby Keita both contracted the virus while on international duty.

The Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet has complained that Polish side Gornik Zabrze have so far said that Alasana Manneh will not be allowed to join up with the Scorpions.

The guidelines also say that all matches must be played behind closed doors, although national FAs can ask for special permission to have fans in.

AC Milan chief executive Gazidis launches diversity manifesto

A lack of stadium development is one of the reasons racism remains an issue in Italian football, says AC Milan chief executive Ivan Gazidis. Milan's San Siro is one of 12 Serie A grounds built over 50 years ago. Only champions Juventus play in a ground opened more recently than 2010.

"We see an environment in which there is a lack of respect kind of built in, perhaps similar to what we saw in England before the development of stadiums," Gazidis said. "The new stadiums provide an atmosphere in which people feel more safe and secure.

"They have more technology in them, they're more inclusive, you get more diversity in the crowds, women come, children come, people from every different race, colour, background and sexual orientation feel more welcome into the stadiums.

"That's what we have to work towards here in Italy. I think England perhaps has been working on these issues in a deeper way for longer. That doesn't mean they are anywhere near the end of the journey."

Milan have launched a 'Manifesto for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion' which they say will help tackle all forms of prejudice and discrimination within football.

"Denying that we have issues and pushing them under the carpet does not help," said former Arsenal chief executive Gazidis. "The first thing is acknowledgment and then we can take action.

"This is a process, there is no end to the process that we're on. The journey that football has taken over the last 20 or 30 years has been significant, but we have a long way to go." Milan were the drivers behind an open letter released last year in which all 20 Serie A clubs pledged to combat Italian football's "serious problem" with racism because there is no more "time to waste".

"It was a very significant moment," said Gazidis. "It was a moment when all of the clubs came together with one voice and said 'we believe more must be done'.

"This wasn't just a call to action to the league and the governing bodies, it was also a call to action for ourselves." 'Something bigger than the points'

Last week Istanbul Basaksehir and Paris St-Germain players walked off the pitch during their Champions League game after the fourth official was accused of referring to Basaksehir assistant Pierre Webo by the colour of his skin.

Gazidis said he would support his players were they to take similar action. "We talk a lot about racism but I'm a little bit fearful of the extreme reactions that we have," he said. "We all carry prejudices, all of us.

"These may be attitudes that aren't hatefully driven but driven through ignorance or through a lack of understanding of the sensitivities.

"I tell you why I would support players because they would do that only if it was something that they felt strongly about. We need to listen to those feelings if we're able to address them properly.

"There is something bigger than the points and what's happening on the field. In general, football has been an incredible force for good in this area."

Things are going well for Milan on the field. They are unbeaten in the league since March, with the youngest squad in the top five divisions in Europe.

"We have set out a vision for a progressive, modern, young Milan team playing ultimately in the most beautiful stadium in the world and establishing itself both in the domestic game and also in the international game," said Gazidis. "We have our stadium project, which will be the most modern and the most beautiful stadium in the world. It's an incredible project."

A recent poll showed younger fans are happier about the prospect of a European Super League than older fans. Gazidis is aware young supporters engage with the game in a different way than before - following their favourite players and clubs from around the world.

"This conversation about the European Super League has been going on for probably more than 20 years," he said. "The reality is there are many different ways that European football could develop over the next 5-10 years.

"I don't think there's a big likelihood that we see a Super League in the way that people talk about it.

"Do I think that there could be developments in the way that the Champions League develops? Absolutely I do. That's a conversation we should have and have it with an open mind."

Academy prospects can use Sri Lanka tour as senior squad platform

Teenagers from Warwickshire’s Academy and Emerging Player Programme faced some of Sri Lanka’s most exciting young talent during a winter training tour of the subcontinent.

Accounting recruitment specialists to pedal for sports charity

A team of accounting and finance recruitment specialists will be totting up the miles - and hopefully cash - when they don their cycling gear to raise vital funds for a West Midlands sports-themed charity next week. Part of the West Midlands Mayor’s Giving Month, Haig & Co of Calthorpe Road, Edgbaston, is to stage its annual Brummie Peloton, along with a bike ride, in aid of Digbeth-based Sport 4 Life UK on Saturday, September 25.

ACE Cricket Programme Relaunches in Birmingham

The Afro-Caribbean Engagement [ACE] Programme, has officially relaunched in ‘second-city’ Birmingham following the overwhelming success of its inaugural launch last year. Delivered by Warwickshire County Cricket Board [WCCB] on behalf of the ACE Charity and the ECB, the programme focusses on increasing awareness and access to Cricket through Black communities and grass-root cricket clubs.

Ace Murray to play charity tournament

Tennis ace, Andy Murray, is set to play in a tournament that has been organised by his brother, Jamie, to raise money for the NHS Charities Together.

The ‘Schroder Battle of the Brits’ tournament is due to take place behind closed doors at the National Tennis Centre, in Roehampton, from June 23 to 28.

The tournament, which will have both singles and doubles champions, will be featuring the likes of current GB greats such as Dan Evens and Kyle Edmund and it will be shown on the Amazon Prime platform.

It is hoped that the event will raise somewhere in excess of £100,000 for the NHS charities.

Jamie Murray said: “The last few months have been incredibly challenging times for everyone and we see this event as our way of giving back.

“A lot of work has been put into making sure that this could happen and we are excited to be able to bring an action-packed week of tennis, while raising valuable funds for NHS heroes and sheroes to say thank you for the amazing work that you are doing”.

He added: “I am really excited to be, for the first time, bringing together the current generation of top British male players to compete against one another while raising significant funds for charity”.

Andy Murray has not played any competitive tennis since the Davis Cup Finals in November due to a bruised pelvic bone, but he has been contemplating a return to the ATP Tour in Miami in late March when professional tennis was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

ACE Programme launches in Birmingham

The ACE Programme is officially underway in Birmingham, delivered by Warwickshire County Cricket Club and the Warwickshire Cricket Board to help reinvigorate love for cricket within the city's Black community. With seven schools in North West Birmingham signed up, local youngsters recently took part in a special ACE Programme cricket session at Handsworth Cricket Club.

Since the start of the school summer term, each for the schools has received a full day of cricket delivered by former Bears fast bowler Recordo Gordon and fellow coach Ron Barker. Local youngsters can also take advantage of further sessions, delivered for children aged nine to 18, every Monday at Handsworth CC and every Friday at Holford Drive Community Sports Hub in Perry Barr.

"Getting ACE underway in Birmingham is a huge step forward for the local cricketing community," said Eaton Gordon, Warwickshire Cricket Board Cricket Development Manager (Community) and Birmingham Lead of ACE. "Cricket in the city's African Caribbean community has dropped significantly in recent years, and we are certainly not underestimating the challenge ahead in revitalising this love for the game.

"Our initial focus is on growing the level of participation in schools, but we hope that these new cricket sessions will inspire many of these youngsters to join in each week at Handsworth CC and Holford Drive and to get involved in the local Club game."

Warwickshire Cricket Board is also using the weekly cricket sessions to inspire youngsters to take part in wider cricket programmes that are delivered by local recreational clubs, including the All Stars programme for children aged five to eight and Dynamos for children aged eight to 11.

Stuart Cain, Chief Executive of Warwickshire CCC, said: "We must represent the communities we serve and can't avoid the fact that cricket isn't what it was to the region's African Caribbean community.

"ACE has the potential to provide a spark which reignites a passion for cricket and unearths the Bears players of the future. Alongside this, we want to rebuild a vibrant club scene as this used to be the cornerstone of the city's African Caribbean community providing strong foundations for wider social cohesion.  

“Lofty aims and it will take time as we're starting this programme with a blank sheet of paper, but we can't delay." The ACE Programme is now a charity that was developed in 2020 by Surrey County Cricket Club to address a 75 per cent decline in cricket participation by members of the Black community.

In October it was awarded £540,000 funding from Sport England, delivered over a three-year period, and a grant from the ECB.

For more information on the ACE PROGRAMME<http://aceprogramme.com/>, please contact Eaton Gordon on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>.

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Acorns youngsters enjoy Edgbaston cricket experience

A group of children who receive support from Acorns Children’s Hospice were treated to an Edgbaston cricket experience and stadium tour.

The seven youngsters – who access the Sibling Support service at Acorns – took part in the fun session under the expert eye of Warwickshire Cricket Board coaches. The group, including Acorns Sibling Workers Jen Bridle and Sarah Childs, then got a chance to peer behind the scenes at Edgbaston, including the players’ dressing rooms and gym, and take some pitch-side selfies.

Action to be taken as Caf cancels massive TV broadcast deal

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) could enter another costly legal process after unilaterally cancelling its current biggest broadcast deal with Qatari media group beIN.

Additions to British team confirmed for 2021 European Athletics Indoor Championships

British Athletics can confirm six athletes have been added to the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the 2021 European Athletics Indoor Championships, Toruń, Poland (4-7 March) following European Athletics’ acceptance of nominations for unqualified field event athletes.

Emily Borthwick [high jump], Joel Khan [high jump], Morgan Lake [high jump], Charlie Myers [pole vault], Jazmin Sawyers [long jump] and Amelia Strickler [shot put] all join the British team.

However, Elliot Giles has withdrawn from the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team. Following team selection, Giles and his coach have decided to withdraw from the Championships to focus on his next training block to prepare for the start of the outdoor season and the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games.

Emily Borthwick and Morgan Lake join the women’s high jump field. Lake moved to joint third in the 2021 European rankings after clearing 1.96m in Belgrade on Wednesday, which doubled as an Olympic qualifying standard.

Borthwick cleared a personal best of 1.87m at the British Athletics European Indoor Selection Trials in Loughborough at the weekend. She will make her debut in a senior British team in Poland.

In the men’s equivalent, 2020 British champion Joel Khan also earns his first call-up to a senior British squad. The Worcester athlete improved his PB by 5cm at the British Athletics event last weekend, clearing 2.23m, and will look to continue that form as he takes on the best in Europe next week.

The women’s long jump will have double British representation following the acceptance of Jazmin Sawyers’ nomination. Abigail Irozuru was selected on Monday and will now be joined by her compatriot in the line-up for Toruń. In Belgrade, Sawyers achieved her longest leap indoors since 2017; 6.50m.

Amelia Strickler earns a call-up for her second European Indoor Championships in the women’s shot put. Additionally, Charlie Myers takes his place in the team for the men’s pole vault. Unfortunately, British Athletics’ nomination for Scott Lincoln in the shot put was not accepted.

AFC Asia cup reaches crescendo with just four left standing

Holders Qatar beat Uzbekistan after Iran knocked out four-times champions Japan with crucial, decision-making victories in this, the quarter-finals, of the AFC Asian Cup.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup draw made for 2022

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) virtually conducted the official final draw for the expanded 12-team AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022, with the host, India, are the hosts, being automatically drawn in Group A. The tournament is set to begin on January 20, 2022 and will be played across three venues in the country, with defending champions Japan in Group C along with Korea Republic, Vietnam and Myanmar.

Afcon 2023 providing more tears and souvenirs in equal measures

Whilst the hosts suffered a first ever defeat against Nigeria on home soil in years, Egypt had to fight back twice to draw with Ghana, as Equatorial Guinea closed in on Afon 2023 knock-out stages by easing past a lack-lustre Guinea-Bissau.

AFCON 2023 set to be the most competitive yet

Despite being an old soccer tournament — held for the first time 67 years ago — the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is still one of the most difficult ones to predict.

Afcon tension mount as knock-out taking no prisoners

Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi scored the 18th penalty of a nerve-shredding shoot-out as DR Congo produced the latest shock at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations by knocking seven-time champions Egypt out to reach the quarter-finals following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

DR Congo went ahead for the first time at the finals when Meschack Elia nodded in Yoane Wissa's cross to put the team ranked 67th in the world on course for the latest surprise result at a tournament which has been illuminated by underdog success in Ivory Coast. Their lead lasted nine minutes before Mostafa Mohamed converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time after Ahmed Hegazi was caught by a flailing arm from Dylan Batubinsika.

Egypt finished with 10 men after left-back Mohamed Hamdy was shown a second yellow card seven minutes into extra time for a mistimed lunge on Simon Banza. And, after Pharaohs keeper Gabaski had clipped the top of the crossbar in the ninth round of the shoot-out, Mpasi stepped up to win it 8-7 on penalties.

In the absence of injured captain Mohamed Salah, Rui Vitoria's team ended the tournament winless and suffered the same fate as they did in the 2021 final, when they were beaten on penalties by Senegal. Mohamed Bay headed a 98th-minute winner as Guinea reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with victory over 10-man Equatorial Guinea, who had earlier missed a penalty.

Equatorial Guinea midfielder Federico Bikoro was dismissed 10 minutes after the break for catching Bayo in the ribs with his studs. The National Thunder were awarded a spot-kick midway through the second half after Sekou Sylla caught Iban Salvador, but captain Emilio Nsue hit the base of the right-hand upright.

And, with the game set to head to extra time, striker Bayo stooped to guide Ibrahim Diakite's cross from the right flank just inside the near post in the final minute of added time. The West Africans have made the last eight for the first time since 2015 and next play in Abidjan.

African keeper, Sarr, says Vinicius Jr can't fight racism in Spain alone

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr "can't fight racism alone" in Spain, according to a player who was banned after climbing into the stands to confront a supporter about alleged abuse.

Vinicius was among those who spoke out in support of Senegalese goalkeeper Cheikh Kane Sarr, who was sent off following the incident during a Spanish third-tier league game. The Brazilian broke down in tears last month while discussing the toll racist abuse in Spanish stadiums has had on him.

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti says he has "never seen a player persecuted" like the 23-year-old. "Vinicius is doing incredible work regarding racism in Spain. I want to thank him," Sarr said.

"If every player like him took a stand, I'm not saying racism would stop but it's going to be slowly erased. It would be less of a topic.

"He's doing a remarkable job." Vinicius (pic) posted on social media in support of Sarr and his Rayo Majadahonda team-mates, who walked off the pitch in a show of solidarity during last month's game against Sestao River, refusing to return.

"Racists must be exposed and matches cannot continue with them in the stands," Vinicius said. "We will only have victory when the racists leave the stadiums and go straight to jail, the place they deserve."

Sarr was "grateful" to have the backing of a player who had 10 incidents of racial abuse against him reported to prosecutors by La Liga last season. "He's a generous man who knows what he wants," Sarr, 23, said.

"But one person can't fight racism alone. He needs support.

"Racism has no place in the world and in the world of soccer." Cheikh Kane Sarr was forced to sit out two league games this month after confronting a fan about alleged racial abuse

Sarr does not think Spanish football is serious about combatting racism, given how his case was handled. Following the incident in Sestao on 30 March, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) handed him a two-match ban and a 600 euro ($645, £510) fine - a punishment Sarr says is "not fair".

Rayo Majadahonda were given an automatic 3-0 defeat, deducted three points and fined 3,006 euros ($3,230, £2,575) for not completing the match. "If you're ready to fight sufficiently against racism, you have to protect the victim and give him power," said Sarr.

"If you sanction him, you're not defending the cause. You have to punish the other team or the person in the stand throwing racist abuse.

"If I was playing for Real Madrid, I don't think I would have been punished. Yes, the players are better known, but the penalties should be the same."

Sestao denied that there were any racist chants, external at the match, but the Basque club were also sanctioned by the RFEF with a stadium closure and a fine.

Rayo Majadahonda were losing 2-1 when Sarr left the pitch in the 83rd minute. "An ultra in the stands came down and started insulting me," he explained.

African Sports Ministers Covid-19 indaba held

The African Union Commission in collaboration with the Republic of Algeria, the Chair of the Bureau of the Specialized Technical Committee on Youth Culture and Sport, recently convened a Ministerial Virtual Forum which brought together the Ministers of Sport, Sport Movement and other stakeholders in Africa to deliberate on sport responses in mitigating the impact of Covid-19 on the continent.

A total of eight-six participants which included Ministers from five of the ten African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Member Countries attended the meeting. Ministers of sport from Angola, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa attended on behalf of AUSC Region 5. 

Sport in Africa has been adversely impacted by the spread of the corona virus. The conference of ministers therefore sought to explore the potential of sport to provide unique solutions in these unprecedented periods.

The importance of remaining physically active and ensuring regular exercise and physical activity for African citizens is regarded as fundamental towards sustaining people’s physical health and well-being. The direct contribution of sport towards improvement of immunity as well mental health has been confirmed by many studies.

The conference of Ministers therefore convened to explore ways of motivating people confined in their homes due to covid-19 inspired travel restrictions to be able to enjoy good health and well-being through sport and recreation. 

In their deliberations, the African Ministers of sport placed emphasis on the need for governments to provide realistic guidelines on how people can remain active under such a fractured and decimated sporting environment. In addition, the Ministers deliberated to find solutions on how to deal with the growing anxiety regarding the post Covid-19 period as most people mainly athletes keep speculating on whether sport, which is already under financed, will be prioritized for support post covid-19 in Africa.

It was in view of these challenges that, the conference of African Ministers of sport sought to draw deliberate and collective action to mitigate the spread of the virus and to develop a strategy for African sport during and post Covid-19 period.

The Ministers further sought to develop a continental response on current and post Covid-19 period for sport in African. The indaba also created a platform for exchange of best practices and experience sharing by Member States and the African Sports Movement. 

In the presentation on behalf of the AUSC Region 5 Council of Ministers, Honourable Likeleli Tampane, the Lesotho Minister of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation, in her capacity as the Region 5 Council of Ministers Chairperson raised a number of suggestions to be considered as Africa’s response to Covid-19.

She noted that the impact of Covid-19 had been experienced at four levels being, Participation in organized sport and physical activity; Social impact, inclusion and equality; Economic development and employment and at Governance of sport level. “Africa needs a risk adjusted strategy to balance between saving lives and sustaining livelihoods in all considerations for return to sport while ensuring that sport satisfies health protocols and requirements of experts to avoid spiking new waves of infections,” said Honourable Tampane.

The AUSC Region 5 Council of Ministers recommended the need for African Member States to consider developing responses at Systems and population level, Institutional level and Community level.

“As Region 5 Council of Ministers, we recommend with strong conviction the need for African responses to address prevention and containment measures; advocacy and communication; advice and guidance on staying active; economic support packages and return to sport planning,” Honourable Tampane emphasised. 

The Conference was officially opened by the African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs, Her Excellency Amira Al Fadil. The indaba was chaired by Algeria Minister of Sports and Youth Sid Ali Khaldi and in attendance were African Ministers of sport, the African Union Sports Council Coordinator Dr. Hikabwa Chipande, African Sports Development Regions Presidents and Secretaries General, Continental Sports Confederations, the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), the African Women in Sport Association (AWISA) as well as the World Anti-Doping Agency Africa among others. 

The Conference resolved to introduce numerous responses among them being advocacy and awareness campaigns to heighten knowledge about the pandemic.

Ministers also resolved to ensure that Governments prioritise sport through sustainable funding and creating a conducive environment for sport to thrive during and post covid-19 pandemic.

In addition, Governments and the sports movement was implored to provide stimulus response packages to mitigate the covid-19 induced stress and anxiety on athletes and sports bodies.

Further more, the African Ministers of sport resolved to institute research to gather empirical evidence and document the contribution of sport towards economic resilience as well as the extent of the impact of the pandemic on the sports industry. 

Ahmad restored as Caf president following court ruling

Madagascar's Ahmad Ahmad has been dramatically restored as Confederation of African Football (Caf) president following a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas). He was banned by Fifa in November for five years after football's world governing body found him to have breached several of its ethics codes.

Ahmad is still ineligible to contest Caf's presidential elections in March however, since the Cas decision came after both Caf's Governance and Fifa's Review committees sat earlier this week to approve candidates' eligibility. The Malagasy - who will now resume his role as a Fifa vice-president - is appealing his ban at Cas, which issued a preliminary ruling.

Sport's highest legal body says it will hear the appeal in full on March 2, with a decision issued before the Caf presidential elections on March 12. "Due to a risk of irreparable harm for Mr Ahmad if the disciplinary sanction is maintained during the period prior to the Caf elections, the Cas panel has upheld the request to temporarily stay the effects of the Fifa ban," Cas said in a statement. This effective suspension of the Fifa ruling will be in place 'until the day that the final Cas award is issued'.

Since he was banned when Fifa met, followed by the Caf meeting to vet presidential aspirants, Ahmad was deemed ineligible. He will now need to overturn the decisions ruling him ineligible to run, since his appeal at Cas is not against the decision barring him from contesting the elections but against his Fifa ban. Should Cas uphold Fifa's ban when its hearing takes place in early March, Ahmad will be ruled out of the race once and for all. Yet if he can overturn both his ineligibility and his Fifa sanction, a man who was proclaiming the backing of 46 federations, out of 54, shortly before his ban will have the chance to secure an unlikely comeback.

As of this week, four candidates were cleared to run for the Caf elections in Morocco on March 12: Jacques Anouma (Ivory Coast), Patrice Motsepe (South Africa), Augustin Senghor (Senegal) and Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania). Ahmad's stay of execution is uncommon, says a sports lawyer with working knowledge of the Switzerland-based Cas.

Paolo Torchetti of Ruiz-Huerta & Crespo Sport Lawyers said: "The Cas rarely issues a preliminary decision suspending the effects of a sanction to ban someone from football."

Fifa adjudged Ahmad, who took charge of Caf in 2017, to have broken ethics rules relating to duty of loyalty, the offering and accepting gifts, abuse of position and misappropriation of funds. These were primarily related to a decision to approve deals totalling $4.4m with a French company run by a close friend of Ahmad's then attaché and the financing of a religious pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia for Africa's Muslim FA presidents.