The head of the Republic of Congo Football Federation (FECOFOOT), Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas, has been found guilty of serious crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment. Local judicial authorities convicted him of several financial frauds, including money laundering, document forgery, and earning income through illegal interest. Investigations revealed that the federation head embezzled funds allocated by international football organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the criminal case, Mayolas was accused of embezzling $1.3 million intended for the development of women's football and the construction of a special training center. Nearly $500,000 of this amount was specifically allocated for the needs of the country's women's national team. Investigators stated that the federation head used his position to misappropriate state and international organization funds for personal gain.
Mayolas was arrested in late May 2025 by officers from the Central Intelligence and Documentation Directorate under the Ministry of Interior. Along with him, "FECOFOOT" Secretary General Baji Mombo Vantete was also arrested. During the trial, both defendants strongly denied the charges, calling it a political conspiracy. However, the court found sufficient evidence and issued a strict verdict. This event caused a major stir in the Congolese football community and is seen as a significant part of the fight against corruption in the sports system.
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