A court in Brazzaville has sentenced Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas, the former president of the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT), to life in prison for embezzling FIFA funds.
The March 10, 2026, conviction came after prosecutors proved he diverted approximately $1.1–1.3 million intended for football development, including a $500,000 FIFA grant for women’s football under the COVID-19 relief program.
Mayolas, who led the federation since 2018 and also served as president of the Union of Central African Football Federations (UNIFFAC) since 2021, was tried in absentia. The court found him guilty of money laundering, forgery, and misappropriation of funds. Authorities alleged he used shell companies to conceal the stolen money.
His wife and son also received life sentences for their roles in the scheme, while several other federation officials were given shorter prison terms.