The general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) is under investigation for alleged dishonest management, fraud, and document forgery, a case that prosecutors warn could "seriously tarnish Switzerland’s reputation". Véron Mosengo-Omba, who is also being investigated by Caf for serious misconduct, has been accused of making a series of suspicious payments to Swiss bank accounts. He has denied these claims, which were disclosed by the Federal Criminal Court (FCC) of Switzerland on Wednesday.
The investigation by the Fribourg public prosecutor’s office was initiated in February following multiple suspicious transaction reports to Swiss accounts sent to the Money Laundering Reporting Office (MROS). Mosengo-Omba is alleged to have "repeatedly obtained bonuses" five times higher than the maximum allowed in his Caf employment contract. The inquiry is particularly focused on several cash withdrawals that would impede "any possibility of tracing the use of said funds". The MROS also highlighted a "bundle of evidence, founding suspicions of acts of disloyal management to the benefit of Mosengo-Omba".
Mosengo-Omba described the bank transfers as "legitimate" and referred to "remuneration and bonuses I have received from Caf since I have held the position of general secretary", adding that "they were made in full transparency". He also stated that he had "notified the prosecutor of the canton of Fribourg of my availability to answer any queries and provide him with any information he may require". The investigation is ongoing, as Switzerland’s federal criminal court ruled that more evidence is needed to bring charges against Mosengo-Omba.
Previously Fifa’s chief member associations officer and a close associate of president Gianni Infantino, Mosengo-Omba was appointed Caf general secretary in 2021. According to Fribourg authorities, the allegations against Mosengo-Omba would have a significant impact on the confederation’s reputation, given his professional and academic career in Switzerland. "The suspicions regarding the use, by the person concerned, of his banking relationship with Bank C to deposit the cash resulting from the offence of private corruption, would, in the event that they were to be confirmed, seriously tarnish Switzerland’s reputation in view of the major media trial that would ensue," they added.
In August, Caf confirmed it had opened an investigation into Mosengo-Omba after allegations of corruption were made against him. He has been accused of whitewashing the investigation, with the audit and compliance committee claiming there had been "unauthorised interference" from the general secretary. Caf has been approached for comment.
