The Malian Football Federation has announced that they have terminated the contract of head coach Eric Chelle, citing no specific reason for the decision.
The move comes just days after Mali's goalless draw against 10-man Madagascar in a World Cup qualifier in Johannesburg.
The federation's executive committee made the decision to end their collaboration with Chelle, with the agreement of the supervisory authority, in an extraordinary session.
Chelle, 46, had been at the helm of the national team since May 2022 and had previously led the team to the quarter-finals of the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
A French father and Malian mother, Chelle was born in the Ivory Coast and played most of his club football in France. He also made five appearances for Mali at the international level between 2004 and 2006.
Before becoming Mali's head coach, Chelle had coaching experience in the French lower divisions with Martigues and Boulogne.
The exact reasons for Chelle's departure remain unclear, but it is likely that the federation's decision is linked to the disappointing draw against Madagascar, which may have fallen short of their expectations.
