DR Congo Football Union Focuses on Player Protection and Well-being

The Union of Footballers of Congo (UFC) convened its ordinary general assembly in Kinshasa, focusing on improving living and working conditions for football players across the Democratic Republic of Congo. A significant portion of the discussions centered on the urgent need to combat child sexual abuse and violence within the sports environment.

UFC officials highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the protection of young players and prevent all forms of abuse in football. Dodo Landu, president of the UFC, expressed concern that individuals previously sanctioned by FIFA for abuses against young footballers are still active. "We continue to receive information that these individuals are moving freely," Landu stated, announcing plans for seminars to implement concrete measures to permanently eradicate this scourge from Congolese football.

Looking ahead, the UFC plans to launch the "Raising Our Game" project at the start of the 2026-2027 sports season. This initiative aims to bolster the protection of female players and champion values of equity and equality within clubs. Key measures include consulting two female players per club to develop an action plan for better protecting female athletes and improving their working conditions.

The assembly also facilitated dialogue among various stakeholders in Congolese football and explored the prospects of the "Fecofa 2030" project, a strategic framework for national football development. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a safer, more inclusive sports environment that respects the rights of all players.

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You are not unaware that a few years ago, FIFA had launched an investigation into abuses committed against young footballers and that proceedings had been initiated before the FIFA Ethics Committee. Certain personalities involved in football management had then been sanctioned. However, we still receive information that these people are moving freely. We are therefore going to organize seminars to take concrete measures to definitively eradicate this scourge in our football environment.