Football Players Demand Better Management in Nigeria

The Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria has called for better and inclusive reforms in the country’s football management. They believe players should have a strong say in the process, The PUNCH reports.

This call follows the resignation of the Nigeria Football Federation executive board. This happened after increasing pressure due to the poor results of national teams and claims of mismanagement.

In a statement signed by General Secretary Edema Fuludu, PFAN welcomed the change and praised President Bola Tinubu for starting the reform process. They also expressed trust in the National Sports Commission to handle it well.

PFAN recognized the resignation of NFF president Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, and other executive board members.

"We advise a better approach that shows true representation of all parties in the reforms. We sincerely request that the very people who are the product and face of the game be involved properly," the statement said in part.

"For over two decades, PFAN has been pushing for transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance in Nigerian football. The call for equal representation has always been important to PFAN, and we are happy about the planned reforms.

“We appreciate the Federal Government's intervention, and we believe that the National Sports Commission, led by Mallam Shehu Dikko, has the ability and good intentions to drive this needed reform process.”

The players’ union also emphasized that the reform process must follow international football rules, especially the regulations of the Confederation of African Football and FIFA.

"While working on local reforms, PFAN urges the NSC and all parties to ensure that the process follows CAF and FIFA rules, principles of good governance, and the independence of football management.

"Nigeria must reform in a way that protects our international status, avoids penalties, and allows our football to gain from CAF and FIFA development programs," the statement continued.

PFAN expressed its readiness to work with the NSC, government agencies, CAF, FIFA, and other stakeholders. They added that their experience on and off the field should be used to rebuild Nigerian football.

Meanwhile, FIFA, the global football governing body, has not yet decided on the future of the Nigeria Football Federation after the mass resignation of Gusau, Sanusi, and other Executive Committee members.

In a letter to the NFF’s deputy general secretary, Emmanuel Ikpeme, on Monday, FIFA and CAF said they are reviewing the legal, governance, administrative, and electoral effects of the situation within the NFF before making a decision.

FIFA also postponed the planned elections set for September 27. They stressed that this decision did not support any current circumstances within the NFF but was necessary for FIFA and CAF to finish their review and engage with the relevant parties.

As part of this process, FIFA and CAF teams will visit Abuja to meet with the NFF, Congress members, NFF electoral bodies, and the National Sports Commission.