Mali protest organisers say federation ‘doesn’t care about women’s football’

Three players banned for speaking out over pay and conditionsTrio say squad has not been paid since 2018 Africa Cup of Nations

Three players who were banned for organising a protest against their treatment while on international duty with Mali’s women’s team say they haven’t been paid since 2018 and that the Malian football federation (Femafoot) “doesn’t care” about women’s football in the country.

Mali’s captain Fatoumata Karentao, Coulouba Sogoré and Aïssata Traoré were suspended by Femafoot after organising the protest following their victory over Burkina Faso in the first leg of the 2024 Olympics qualifier in July, which took place in Benin. They had returned to Mali and had expected to go straight into a new training camp ahead of the second leg but instead were told to go back to their homes without being given any travelling expenses, aside from 1,000 West African francs (£1.31) that was provided by a Femafoot employee who “took pity on them”.

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