The Swiss Public Prosecutor’s Office has announced the termination of its investigations into Veron Mosengo-Omba, the Secretary General of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), citing insufficient evidence to proceed with legal action.
The investigation was initiated in February 2024, following suspicious transaction reports sent to the Money Laundering Reporting Office (MROS) in Switzerland. These reports alleged that Mosengo-Omba had received bonuses exceeding the contractual limits set by CAF and raised concerns about cash withdrawals that allegedly hindered transparency and traceability.
Background on the Investigation
In November 2024, Mosengo-Omba voluntarily traveled to Fribourg, Switzerland, to respond to inquiries regarding the preliminary investigation. The allegations suggested :Bonuses “five times higher” than the permitted limit in his employment contract,Concerns over cash withdrawals that could obscure the use of funds and evidence pointing to potential disloyal management practices for Mosengo-Omba’s benefit.
Mosengo-Omba consistently maintained his innocence, describing the transactions as “legitimate” and clarifying that they constituted “remuneration and bonuses” received transparently as part of his CAF employment.
CAF and Swiss Authorities’ Statements
CAF welcomed the decision by the Swiss prosecutors, highlighting the organization’s commitment to ethics, transparency, and governance under the leadership of Dr. Patrice Motsepe.
Swiss authorities acknowledged that the allegations, though unproven, carried reputational risks for CAF, particularly given Mosengo-Omba’s professional and academic background, including his tenure at FIFA and his law studies at the University of Fribourg.
Veron Mosengo-Omba’s Role in CAF
Formerly Fifa’s chief member associations officer and a close associate of the president, Gianni Infantino, after meeting him while studying law at the University of Fribourg, Mosengo-Omba was appointed general secretary of Caf in 2021.
CAF’s Continued Commitment to Governance
CAF reiterated its dedication to upholding strong governance practices and ethical standards across its operations. The organization emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, which have been core principles since Dr. Motsepe assumed the CAF presidency.
