FIFA and CAF Look into NFF Issues

FIFA and CAF officials started checking into the problems at the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday. They met with the chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, and members of the NFF’s federating units in Abuja, according to The PUNCH.

The meeting took place at the Abuja Continental Hotel. This followed the mass resignation of NFF president Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, and other board members on August 27. Their resignations came amid growing concerns about the performances of Nigeria’s national and youth teams. This includes the senior men’s and women’s teams failing to qualify for their World Cups.

The FIFA and CAF team included Ahmed Harraz, who leads FIFA Member Association Governance Services, Rolf Tanner, the FIFA Head of Member Association Governance, El Hadj Wack Diop, who leads FIFA’s Regional Office for West Africa, and CAF Legal Manager Nnaemeka Olu.

Dikko first talked with the FIFA and CAF officials. He briefed them on the government’s proposed reforms for the sports sector. After this, other members of the NFF Congress joined the discussion.

The delegation is expected to look into why the NFF board resigned, plans to restructure the federation’s governance, the NFF statutes, the electoral process, a new timetable for the elective congress, and the government’s role in the NFF’s affairs.

The NFF statutes have been a big issue for stakeholders who want a more inclusive federation. The electoral process and the makeup of the Congress will also be part of the assessment.

FIFA and CAF officials plan to talk to relevant stakeholders. They want to find a legal and acceptable way to get the NFF Congress back on track. This is to help solve the federation’s leadership crises, which often lead to problems during election times.

Last week, FIFA said no decision has been made yet. They have received various messages from stakeholders in Nigeria. They emphasized that the assessment must happen before any recommendations are made to their decision-making bodies.

"The mission will allow FIFA and CAF to better understand the circumstances surrounding the recent developments within the NFF, the views of the various stakeholders and any issues that may require further consideration under the applicable FIFA, CAF and NFF regulatory framework," FIFA said in a letter to the NFF last week.

"Once this assessment process is complete, FIFA and CAF will decide if any recommendations or proposals should be sent to their decision-making bodies according to their Statutes and regulations.

"Until then, the outcome of the assessment is open and no assumptions should be made about any actions that FIFA and CAF may take or not take."

The outcome of these discussions should help clarify the proposed reforms, the future leadership of the federation, and how to bring stability back to Nigerian football.