After 20 months in prison, Mamoutou Touré regains his freedom! (Official)

After nearly two years of detention, Mamoutou Touré, the president of the Malian Football Federation (Femafoot), was released on Tuesday, April 22.

Malian press reports that the renowned Malian leader was granted a provisional release after spending 622 days in prison.

Mamoutou Touré, accused of embezzlement

Aged 67, "Bavieux" was arrested in August 2023, accused of embezzling public funds amounting to approximately 28 million dollars (nearly 24.4 million euros).

The charges date back to his former role as the administrative and financial director at the National Assembly of Mali. He has consistently denied the accusations against him.

Femafoot denounces a maneuver orchestrated by his detractors

It is worth noting that despite his incarceration, Touré was re-elected as the head of Femafoot for a second term, a testament to his enduring influence in Malian football.

However, his international standing has taken a significant hit. Last March, he stepped down from his positions on the FIFA Council and the CAF Executive Committee.

Femafoot thus continues to support its president, denouncing a maneuver orchestrated by his detractors. While Touré remains weakened on the global stage, he still holds significant sway in national sports circles.

Amine Jomni |

Editorfr

African football writer and sports journalist covering football news, stories and insights while sharing his expertise with fans across the continent.