Benin FA president Anjorin Moucharafou, a strong ally of CAF President Issa Hayatou, has been re-arrested and sent to jail two days after he declined to run for a third term.
Moucharafou, who was recently elected as a member of the CAF Executive Committee,à was summoned this week alongside the bodyââ¬â¢s Benin FA's accountant Cecile Houssou for the same charges.
Moucharafou recently decided to quit the Benin FA post was two years ago arraigned before a court for misappropriation of the federation's funds and remanded in custody at the Cotonou Civil Prison.
The businessman is accused of mishandling $650,000 (R6.5m) sponsorship money from mobile phone company MTN between 2008 and 2010.
Moucharafou, who enjoyed the backing of Fifa and Caf when Beninââ¬â¢s FA disintegrated into two parallel bodies following the departure of 12 of the 15 executive committee members, decided not to seek a third term in office to give peace a chance in the countryââ¬â¢s football.
Benin Football Federation president Anjorin Moucharaf has resigned from his post moments before new elections within the body set for Tuesday July 30.
The embattled official said in a statement that he would not run for another term amid concerns that his candidacy would exacerbate the ongoing tension in the countryââ¬â¢s football.
Re-elected in 2009, Moucharaf was imprisoned in 2010 for alleged mismanagement of funds while 12 of his 15 executive committee members pulled out to form a parallel Football Federation, which still exists.
Fifa and Caf had always thrown their support behind Moucharaf while the governmentââ¬â¢s position favoured the dissention.
Local editorialists say the withdrawal of Moucharaf could bring down the tension and open a new chapter in the countryââ¬â¢s football.
Ghana FA chief Kwesi Nyantakyi beat Anjorin at an election to join the CAF executive committee two years ago.