Fifa investigates Somali FA

[Hiiraan boy]

Fifa has confirmed it is conducting an investigation concerning the finances of the Somali Football Federation (Sff).

Football's world governing body also acknowledged that it had has been informed of the decision of the executive committee of the Sff to suspend its president.

The Sff president is under Fifa investigation for allegedly mismanaging thousands of dollars intended to pay staff salaries and telephone bills, a leading Somali official said on Sunday.

Abdiqani Said, secretary-general of the Somali Football Federation (Sff) told Reuters that President Muhyidin Hassan Ali illegally withdrew over US$100,000.

In a letter addressed to Ali seen by Reuters, world governing body Fifa demanded to know the reason for the withdrawal and said it was investigating.

Said claimed Ali was suspended on 17 February: "He mismanaged money meant to pay-off three years of wage arrears and telephone bills.

"He also replaced me as a signatory without the knowledge of the executive," the SFF secretary-general claimed.

Contacted for comment, Ali told Reuters he was busy attending a meeting.

The Somali squad assembles only a few days before tournaments and practises at the dilapidated Mogadishu stadium.

"The team often practises under a lot of hardship," a former Somalia coach, declining to be named, told Reuters.

"The main problem is the insecurity. The players are paid 20,000 Somali shillings (less than US$2) wages after practices."

Said said recent violence in the capital has forced them to cancel football matches, which are well attended by Somali football fans.

"Mortars are hitting everywhere. We cannot guarantee the safety of the spectators," he told Reuters.

"We are working very closely with the Ministry of Sports to try to address the insecurity."