The Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) is racing against time to avoid FIFA-imposed sanctions as it scrambles to make a critical payment to former national team coach Patrice Neveu. The first installment of €131,106.15 (over KES 18 million) must be paid by Friday, April 11, 2025, or Gabon risks a deduction of points in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Neveu, who led the Gabon Panthers from 2019 until his dismissal in 2023, was sacked after the team failed to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The 70-year-old French coach’s contract, originally extended until 2025, was terminated prematurely — prompting him to sue FEGAFOOT and appeal to FIFA over unpaid salary dues.
FIFA subsequently ruled in Neveu’s favor, demanding that FEGAFOOT settle a total debt of 341 million CFA francs (approximately $566,863 USD or €471,000). The amount is to be paid in four installments, with the first tranche due imminently.
“Everyone has been informed: the Ministry of the Budget, the Treasury, the Presidency. Now it’s up to the Treasury to make its move. It already has Neveu’s bank details,” a source close to the matter told Senegalese outlet Le Quotidien. “This payment must be made urgently, today or tomorrow at the latest. The Presidency could intervene directly if necessary.”
The urgency of the matter has seen Gabon’s Sports Minister Patrick Barbera Isaac engage in last-minute negotiations with FIFA, resulting in a moratorium agreement that allows for a staggered repayment. Still, missing the first installment would trigger immediate disciplinary action from FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee.
Neveu’s lawyer reinforced the gravity of the situation, telling L’Union, “The Gabonese authority must pay my client by April 11, 2025. Failing to do that will force the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to impose sporting sanctions. This could lead to a deduction of points during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.”
Currently second in Group F of the qualifiers, just one point behind leaders Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon’s path to the 2026 World Cup hangs by a thread. Any point deduction could severely damage the nation’s chances of making it to the global stage.
With just hours remaining before the deadline, all eyes are now on Gabon’s Treasury and top government officials to act swiftly and prevent a sporting disaster.
