Marwa Skhiri reportedly resigns from Tunisian Football Federation

Several Tunisian sports outlets reported on Friday that Skhiri had formally resigned from the bureau. The federation had not issued a public statement confirming that it had received or accepted the resignation at the time of publication.

The reports run directly against the federation's own signals. A source cited by national radio and carried by Business News on Thursday said the bureau would serve out its mandate normally, that no resignation request had been addressed to it and that no revocation procedure was envisaged, despite the rumours circulating since the elimination. The bureau is expected to meet in the coming days to examine the federation's priority dossiers. Rumours in late June that two members were preparing to step down also came to nothing.

Skhiri, a lawyer and former secretary general of US Monastir, was elected on the list headed by federation president Moez Nasri on 25 January 2025 for the 2025 to 2029 term. She was appointed president of the federal commission for national disputes, giving her a central role in the federation's legal affairs.

A campaign that broke records for the wrong reasons

The reported departure comes amid intense pressure on the federation after Tunisia's exit in the group stage. The national team conceded 12 goals across a campaign that opened with a 5-1 defeat by Sweden and ended with a loss to Japan, triggering criticism of the players, technical staff and football authorities. Supporters, observers and former sports officials have called for a deep renewal of the governance of Tunisian football, and members of parliament have demanded accountability from both the federation and the sports ministry.

The federation made its biggest move during the tournament itself. Sabri Lamouchi was dismissed after the Sweden defeat and Hervé Renard was brought in at short notice for the remainder of the competition, a change that failed to prevent the rout. Renard apologised to Tunisians after the exit, saying the team had fallen short of expectations, and captain Ellyes Skhiri offered his own apology to supporters.

One resignation linked to the campaign has already been confirmed. Khalil Chammam, assistant sporting director of the national team, stepped down on 25 June, days after the elimination.

Continuity at the top, and an open coaching file

The decision to keep the bureau in place reads as a choice of continuity, and observers see in it a signal that the authorities are backing the current leadership rather than forcing change. The immediate file on the table is the coach. Renard's mission was designed as provisional, his initial contract runs to mid July, and he is expected in Tunis in the coming days to discuss whether he stays on to lead the Carthage Eagles into the next cycle.

Skhiri's reported resignation would mark the first visible fracture within the elected bureau. The absence of an official announcement leaves open whether her resignation has been received or accepted, and whether other members could follow. The bureau led by Nasri includes vice-president Hussein Jenayeh and members responsible for the national teams, competitions, finance, women's football, player status and legal disputes.