Egypt’s parliament oks deal on Confederation of African Football headquarters

Egypt’s parliament approved on Monday the deal signed between the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the government to extend the country’s hosting of the African governing body for 10 more years.

The agreement was signed by CAF President Ahmad Ahmad and the Egyptian Sports and Youth Minister Ashraf Sobhi in the presence of Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly on 12 February, Ahram Online reported.

“Under this agreement CAF shall benefit from several advantages, immunities and privileges similar to those granted to international organisations and diplomatic missions. The agreement is for a period of 10 years and shall be automatically renewed,” read a statement published in February on CAF’s official website.

Egypt, that was one of the founders of the CAF in 1957, has been hosting the headquarters since its commencement.

“The new agreement will replace the headquarters’ previous agreement which was signed in November 2007, especially after the CAF requested to sign a new deal after the end of the previous one,” Sobhi told the youth and sports ministry’s official website.

The hosting agreement between CAF and the government started in 2007 for five years and was automatically extended in 2012 for another five years before expiring in 2017.

During the CAF meetings in July 2019, the Malagasy boss expressed his concerns about the legal situation of the CAF and its employees especially that there was no framework for their mission since the expiry of the previous deal.

“There are many challenges to overcome. Reforms will not be easy. Even our employees at CAF have trouble getting visas to work. Some come under tourist visas,” said the CAF president.