Former Tunisian Football Federation President Wadie Jary Sentenced to Four Years for Corruption

Former Tunisian Football Federation President Sentenced

Wadie Jary, the former president of the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF), has been sentenced to four years in prison on corruption charges. The conviction relates to an unlawful contract between the FTF and a technical director during Jary's time in office, according to a spokesperson for the country's sports ministry.

Background and Allegations

Jary, who was first elected as the head of the FTF in 2012, faced multiple allegations of impropriety during his reign, including match-fixing, financial misconduct, and money laundering. Throughout the investigations, Jary consistently denied these allegations.

Legal and Organizational Challenges

In January 2021, Jary received a four-year ban from the Tunisian National Olympic Committee, which claimed he had breached national and international Olympic ethics codes. Despite this ban, he was elected to the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) executive committee just two months later.

Current Status and Reactions

Jary remained on the CAF executive committee while awaiting trial. CAF general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba stated last year that the organization was not protecting crooks and would make a decision on Jary once a verdict was delivered by the Tunisian legal system. Following the emergence of the charges, Jary was taken into custody in October 2023.

Appeals and Future Implications

Jary's lawyers have announced that he will appeal against the verdict. The outcome of this appeal could have significant implications for the future governance of football in Tunisia and the broader African football community.