FIFA — international football governing body that enforces player registration bans, manages development funding, and organizes World Cup tournaments.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Mmegi
… Rollers had travelled to Jwaneng with only seven players for the match, after receiving a fresh FIFA ban ahead of the opening FNB Premiership matches this past weekend.The troubled side had been slapped with a FIFA ban, barring them from registering new players as a result of unp …
Familiar incident leaves elite league embarrassed, againWeekend Post
… The 16-time league champions remain under a FIFA registration ban, the legacy of a debt owed to former coach Aziz Karkache. …
Football season delayed…Weekend Post
… Township Rollers, the 16-time Botswana Premier League champions known across southern Africa as Popa or Mapalastina, are staring down the barrel of two simultaneous FIFA disputes involving South African players; one that has already resulted in a registration ban, and another tha …
Township Rollers in trouble againBotswana Sunday Standard
… The debt, which is directly linked to the team’s recent past investor Tendai Sebata and the then team executive committee, led to a FIFA imposed transfer ban for Rollers. …
More money, more problems for RollersMmegi
Infantino is under increasing pressure over his attempt, later abandoned, to create a new company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights of all Fifa competitions, including the World Cups, with 21% to be sold off to a private investment company.Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE …
Scottish FA withdraws support for InfantinoDaily News Botswana
… Rathari will oversee the association’s strategic framework, including BFA Impact and FIFA projects, which the association considers central to implementing its objectives. …
BFA reshuffles structures to enhance operationsBotswana Sunday Standard
Sunday Standard BFA Yet to Account for Millions from FIFA Forward Projects Grants Millions of Pulas given to Botswana Football Association (BFA) for projects under the FIFA Forward 1.0 and 2.0 initiatives are yet to be accounted for. …
BFA Yet to Account for Millions from FIFA Forward Projects GrantsMmegi
Last week, FIFA announced proposals to set up a commercial subsidiary to run events, including the World Cup, which has sparked a backlash, particularly from the influential Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).CAF is FIFA's largest continental federation with 54 member …
BFA to vote with CAF over Infantino proposalWeekend Post
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global football community, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced a bold and controversial plan to create a $20 billion commercial entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), that would control the World Cup and other FIFA events with …
FIFA’s $20B World Cup privatization sparks fierce UEFA backlashWeekend Post
… The association is intensifying its commitment to accountability in managing FIFA-funded projects, placing governance front and center as Botswana aims to maximize the impact of international football investment. …
BFA tightens grip on FIFA fundingAn FNB Premiership match between Rollers and Popa was called off minutes after kickoff when Rollers were reduced to six players following an injury, after arriving with only seven players due to a FIFA ban preventing them from registering new players over unpaid wages to former head coach Aziz Karkarche.
1 September 2026 · Mmegi →
An FNB Premiership match between Rollers and Popa was called off minutes after kickoff when Rollers were reduced to six players following an injury, after arriving with only seven players due to a FIFA ban preventing them from registering new players over unpaid wages to former head coach Aziz Karkarche.
1 September 2026 · Mmegi →
The 2026/27 FNBB Premiership has been delayed one week from its planned August 28 start date to September 5 due to administrative disputes between the Botswana Football Association and the Botswana Football League, unresolved club licensing requirements, and an international women's tournament being staged in Botswana.
1 September 2026 · Weekend Post →
Township Rollers, the 16-time Botswana Premier League champions, is under a FIFA registration ban after failing to pay approximately R98,000 ordered by FIFA in a dispute with South African defender Thabiso Mokenkoane, whose contract was terminated last season. The ban prohibits the club from signing or registering new players domestically and internationally for up to three consecutive registration periods unless the outstanding amount is settled.
31 August 2026 · Weekend Post →
Township Rollers, despite securing sponsorships worth millions of pula to pay debts, now faces two new FIFA transfer bans effective July and August 2026, following unpaid dues to former coach Abdelaziz Karkache (P1.2 million) and other creditors.
30 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
The Scottish Football Association will not vote for Gianni Infantino in his 2027 re-election bid, aligning with Uefa's position following widespread criticism of his abandoned plan to create a company to manage Fifa's commercial and ticketing rights.
18 August 2026 · Mmegi →
Botswana Football Association has announced administrative and technical changes to strengthen operations, appointing Bathusi Rathari as acting general secretary while a permanent position is recruited, and redeploying technical director Kaelo Kaelo to head of coaching and research. The association aims to ensure key positions are filled by people with appropriate skills and competencies.
14 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Millions of pulas given to the Botswana Football Association under FIFA's Forward 1.0 and 2.0 funding initiatives remain unaccounted for, with accounting failures dating back to 2017. FIFA requires detailed reports showing funds were used as intended, and failure to meet strict auditing requirements prevents future support.
10 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
FIFA proposed setting up a commercial subsidiary to run events including the World Cup, prompting backlash from UEFA. CAF, FIFA's largest continental federation with 54 members, is expected to back the proposal, and the Botswana Football Association will vote with CAF at Morocco's elective congress in May 2027, where Infantino will seek his second term.
31 July 2026 · Mmegi →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced plans to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial entity that would control the World Cup with private investor involvement, raising billions by selling minority stakes in commercial rights. The proposal has sparked fierce opposition from UEFA, the European football governing body.
30 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
The Botswana Football Association is intensifying its commitment to accountability in managing FIFA-funded projects through a FIFA Forward workshop designed to equip administrators with skills in planning, executing, monitoring, and reporting on development programs.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
The Botswana Football Association held a FIFA Forward Workshop bringing together FIFA delegates, BFA leadership, and COSAFA representatives to strengthen planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of FIFA Forward projects while reinforcing good governance, transparency and accountability principles. BFA and COSAFA President Oabile Tariq Babitseng said the workshop was an opportunity to strengthen football administration and ensure projects deliver lasting benefits to the football community.
22 July 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
Township Rollers have agreed a five-year technical sponsorship with Italian sportswear brand Diadora valued at P20 million, covering match kits, training gear, and technical apparel. The partnership is expected to ease operational costs and allow the club to invest in football development.
14 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
Township Rollers, Botswana's leading football club, is experiencing rapid decline marked by governance turmoil and financial chaos, culminating in the ouster of former chairperson Bafana Phempheretlhe Pheto and his committee, with a Special General Assembly held on October 11 in Palapye described as a pivotal moment for the club.
29 June 2026 · Weekend Post →
The Botswana Football Association, led by newly elected COSAFA president Tariq Babitseng, is implementing the BFA Impact Programme, a comprehensive initiative to overhaul governance, funding, and development of football across the nation. The programme introduces a tiered classification system for Regional Football Associations, categorizing them as Tier 1 (high capacity), Tier 2 (emerging), or Tier 3 (development), with tailored development responsibilities for each tier.
23 June 2026 · Weekend Post →
The Botswana Football Association faces renewed scrutiny after Gaborone United Ladies were awarded wrong medals following their 5-1 championship victory over Orapa United Ladies, drawing criticism about the marginalization of women's football despite promises to grow the sport.
16 June 2026 · Weekend Post →
Tariq Babitseng, Botswana Football Association president, was elected unopposed to the top seat of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) on May 17, becoming the second Motswana to lead the organization since its inception in 1992. Babitseng said he would retain his BFA position while ensuring both roles received proper attention, and noted that unity prevailed during the elective congress.
20 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the high cost of 2026 World Cup tickets, including one listed for $11.5 million on FIFA's resale platform, attributing the pricing to unprecedented demand; FIFA received over 500 million ticket requests during the sales period against approximately seven million available tickets.
12 May 2026 · Weekend Post →
Despite representing 54 of FIFA's 210 members, Africa waited 80 years to host its first World Cup (South Africa, 2010) and has never hosted Olympic Games or Commonwealth Games, with organisational capabilities frequently questioned. FIFA abolished its continental rotation policy in October 2007, effective from the 2018 bidding process.
8 May 2026 · Mmegi →