Omanghana
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed a document circulating online that claims FIFA threatened Nigeria with sanctions or suspension, describing it as entirely fabricated.
The purported letter alleged that world football’s governing body had expressed concerns about government and third-party interference following the mass resignation of former NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee.
However, the NFF clarified that the document did not originate from FIFA headquarters or any of the organization’s authorized communication channels. It therefore urged the public, media organizations and football stakeholders to disregard the claims contained in the letter.
According to the federation, FIFA has formally received and accepted the resignations of Gusau, Sanusi and the Executive Committee members.
The NFF added that consultations are ongoing among FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC) and the federation’s administration as part of efforts to restructure the country’s football governance.
The parties are reportedly developing a comprehensive reform roadmap designed to align the administration of Nigerian football with FIFA and CAF statutes. Preparations for an elective congress have consequently been suspended until the reform process is completed.
In the meantime, former NFF Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme is overseeing the federation’s secretariat as interim General Secretary. Ademola Olajire is also serving as interim Deputy General Secretary during the transitional period.
The NFF advised Nigerians to rely exclusively on verified statements issued through official channels, stressing that claims of an impending FIFA sanction or suspension are false.
The federation said further information about the restructuring process and future elections would be communicated as consultations progress.
Source: Omanghana
