FIFA is to take over the running of African football in wake of corruption scandals

FIFA is to take over the running of African football in the wake of corruption scandals consuming the Confederation of African Football (CAF), it was announced on Thursday.

The CAF executive committee took the unprecedented decision to cede control and have FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura parachuted in as "FIFA General Delegate for Africa".

A joint statement was read out at a news conference held by beleaguered CAF president Ahmad Ahmad in Cairo on Thursday on the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations but he refused questions on the subject.

Samoura will take over the running of CAF from August to January with the possibility of a renewal of her six-month stint.