African officials face FIFA ethics probe

FIFA's Ethics Committee has opened formal adjudicatory proceedings against three disgraced former African football officials.

Kirsten Nematandani, former president of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Jonathan Musavengana, former Zimbabwe Football Association official, and ex-Togo coach Banna Tchanile could all face sanctions following an investigation by world football's governing body.

All three were investigated over allegations that they breached FIFA's ethics code with their involvement in friendly matches in South Africa in 2010.

"The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee, under its chairman Hans-Joachim Eckert, has opened formal adjudicatory proceedings against Kirsten Nematandani, former President of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Jonathan Musavengana, former official of the Zimbabwe Football Association, and Banna Tchanile, former coach of the national team of Togo, based on the final report submitted by the investigatory chamber," FIFA said in a statement.

"In the course of the proceedings, the officials will be invited to submit their positions, including any evidence with regard to the final report of the investigatory chamber (art. 70 par. 2 of the FIFA Code of Ethics) and may request a hearing (art. 74 par. 2 of the FCE)."

Nematandani was suspended from his role with SAFA in December 2012 after FIFA stated it had found "compelling evidence" that he was involved in four international friendly games being fixed by a Far East betting syndicate.

Eckert recommended a minimum six-year ban for Nematandani and lifelong bans for Musavengana and Tchanile when he concluded his initial investigation last week.