COTONOU (AFP) – The new chairman of Benin's Football Federation, Victorien Attolou, formally took office on Friday following a court victory over his predecessor, although world governing body FIFA have yet to approve the new regime.
Attolou accused former chairman Moucharafou Anjorin of financial misconduct, and the dispute led 12 of the 15 members of the federation's board to declare Attolou the new boss, but FIFA said a new chairman could only be chosen through a formal vote.
Anjorin's supporters refused to back the new chairman and a legal battle ensued, with an appeals court ruling in Attolou's favour on July 12.
"The new chairman of the federation assumed office today," the federation's lawyer Issiaka Moustapha told AFP.
But FIFA continues to insist on a full vote before recognising Attolou's victory.
In a letter published widely in local media following the court ruling, FIFA threatened to suspend Benin from competition if they did not comply with their regulations
Vanguard Nigeria