Congo FA chief Mayolas handed life sentence in FIFA scandal

In a landmark verdict for Congolese football, Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas, the president of the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT), has been sentenced to life in prison.

The 63-year-old administrator was found guilty of money laundering, embezzlement, and forgery involving millions in FIFA development funds. The scandal has sent shockwaves through Congo-Brazzaville, taking down the top tier of the federation’s leadership.

Millions Misappropriated: The Verdict on Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas

The court handed down the heavy sentence after evidence revealed that Mayolas systematically embezzled funds intended for grassroots football, women’s league development, and the construction of vital sports infrastructure.

In a rare and severe legal move, the court also sentenced Mayolas’ wife and son to life imprisonment for their roles in the financial scheme. Other top officials were not spared:

Wantete Badji (Secretary General): Sentenced to five years.

Raoul Kanda (Treasurer): Sentenced to five years.

Prosecutors proved that of the $500,000 (USD) specifically allocated by FIFA for Congolese women’s club teams, only $20,000 actually reached the intended recipients. In total, the embezzlement scheme is estimated to exceed $1.3 million.

A Year of Chaos for FECOFOOT

The sentencing follows a tumultuous period for Congolese football. In February 2025, FIFA slapped FECOFOOT with an international ban due to “third-party interference” after the government suspended Mayolas during the initial fraud investigation. The ban was eventually lifted in May 2025 once the federation regained control of its headquarters under FIFA-approved conditions.

However, the legal walls closed in by August 2025. Mayolas reportedly attempted to flee the country after a government hearing was opened to examine the full extent of the missing funds. An intensive eight-month investigation finally culminated in this week’s life sentence.

The End of an Era

Mayolas had been a fixture in regional football, serving as the president of the Union of Central African Football Federations (UNIFFAC) since 2021 before his removal. His career in football administration dates back to 1995 with Etoile du Congo, eventually leading to his election as FECOFOOT president in 2018.

As FECOFOOT begins the process of restructuring, both FIFA and CAF have yet to release official statements on the verdict. The federation now faces the daunting task of restoring its reputation and ensuring that development funds finally reach the players and clubs for whom they were intended.