CAF confident over Nations Cup

The 2002 CAN in Mali will go ahead with no problems, despite ISL's demise, say CAF

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) are confident there will be little or no fallout from the bankruptcy of Swiss firm ISL/ISSM, who held the marketing and sponsorship rights to next year's African Nations Cup finals in Mali.

CAF secretary-general Mustapha Fahmy said he was confident a new marketing partner would be found soon and expected no problem in retaining existing sponsors for the 2002 Nations Cup.

The biennial tournament accounts for more than 70 per cent of the African soccer body's revenue.

"We have the same problem as Fifa but the dimensions are a lot smaller," said Fahmy, referring to the political fall-out at Fifa and the cancellation of this year's World Club Championship by world soccer's governing body in the wake of ISL's collapse.

We are sure someone else will buy the rights

  Mustapha Fahmy, CAF

"We are examining the contract we have with ISL and how to put an end to it," added Fahmy.

"At the same time, we are having discussions with other firms to see who is interested in acquiring the rights.

'Negotiations going well'

"We are sure someone else will buy it because it is not possible for us to have our own marketing agency," he added.

Fifa, in contrast, have taken about 30 former ISL staffers in house and set up their own marketing agency in the wake of the ISL liquidation.

Fahmy says rights discussions are already under way

"I expect we'll be able to finalise something soon and we're not worried about any effect on the Nations Cup finals next year. Our negotiations are going well," said Fahmy.

Fahmy would not be drawn on a possible replacement but other CAF officials have said the French firm Groupe Jean-Claude Darmon was favoured to take over.

Darmon already owns the television rights to the next four Nations Cup finals and also the marketing and television rights for the annual African Champions League.

"Our sponsors have been in contact with us and told us they want to stay with us. This has been a very good sign and makes us confident," Fahmy added.