Lagos FA board members’ ‘suspends’ Chairman over alleged misconduct

Some observers at the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) board meeting inside the FA secretariat in Surulere took to their heels, on Tuesday, when what earlier looked like a formal gathering of soccer technocrats later became a boxing contest between supporters of the chairman, Faoud Oki, and some other members of the board.

The meeting, expected to discuss issues on the development of football in the state, became charged when some members accused Oki of running a one-man show and making decisions without considering others’ opinions Vice Chairman, Liameed Olawale Gafar, members accused Oki of gross misconduct, with five out of the nine members voting for his suspension.

After the verdict, Oki reportedly made to move to his office, but the members prevented him from doing so because ‘you are on suspension.’

Irked by the move, Oki allegedly slapped Gafaar, leading to a free-for-all fight at the secretariat.

Speaking on the crisis, Gafaar, on behalf of the five board members, said they suspended Oki for severally violating Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) laws and regulations.

They accused Oki of skipping the NFF Congress without providing any justification and without informing the LSFA board, adding that he also altered the association’s logo without seeking the board's or Congress’ consent.

The ‘rebels’ also accused Oki of preventing representatives of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) from testing their A1 camera at the Onikan Stadium before the 2023/24 season kicked off, as well as releasing Nigeria National League (NNL) match day logistics for the 2023/24 season to clubs without consulting the board.

The members also alleged that Oki and the Lagos State Sports Commission were at loggerheads over the state’s facilities, thereby ruining the existing cordial relationship between both organs.

According to the members, Oki allegedly interfered with and suspended a number of youth football competitions, and recreational games and also threatened to drive teams out of Lagos.

Contacted, a source close to the embattled chairman said Oki was in a meeting and would issue a statement on the situation of things in the Lagos FA in due course.

He added that some of the members were being used by external forces to cause trouble in the FA.