Zanzibar Football Association has reapplied for admission as a member of the world’s football governing body, FIFA.

Tanzania Football Federation President Jamal Malinzi who championed Zanzibar’s admission as a member of the Confederation of African Football has confirmed.

Following admission of Zanzibar into CAF, TFF has now formally submitted application for Zanzibar to become a member of FIFA.@FIFAcom

— Jamal Malinzi (@jamalmalinzi) June 4, 2017

Zanzibar, a protectorate of the mainland Tanzania, is now a full CAF member unlike in 2005 when they first sought FIFA’s recognition and were turned down.

They were admitted as the 55th CAF member during the 39th Ordinary General Assembly held in Addis Ababa in March this year.

Previously, Zanzibar operated as an associate member of CAF, and hence could not field a national team in CAF competitions. However, their clubs fully participated in the continental championships.

According to FIFA statutes, an association must be a member of a confederation before it can become a member of FIFA.

The FIFA Congress reserves the right to admit, suspend or expel a member.

Article 12 part 1, “The Council shall request the Congress either to admit or not admit an association. The association may state the reasons for its application to the Congress.”

If admitted, ZFA will become the 212th member association of FIFA and will immediately acquire membership rights and duties. Its delegates will also be able vote and be elected with immediate effect.