NFF reportedly seeks FIFA opinion on election as players want gov’t intervention 

The Nigeria Football Federation has reportedly written a letter to the Federation of International Football (FIFA) in a fresh bid to postpone the forthcoming election slated for September 30.

According to Sports Day the General Secretary Muhammed Sanusi, the football body is accusing the Federal Government of interfering in football matters.

The NFF also told FIFA that the country’s judiciary is also interfering in the affairs of football in the country.

Authoritative sources told our correspondent that that the latest move of the Amaju Pinnick-led board ( their tenure as expired) was aimed at getting an approval to shift the election and remain in power for few more months.

It was further revealed that the reply of FIFA to the letter was also forwarded to the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Sports.

A stakeholder who prefers anonymity was furious about this development which he termed as an affront from the NFF to the FG.

“Why is the NFF always running to FIFA and threatening everyone. This same body will run to government and sponsors for money but when people talk about its operations, they shout interference. It is absurd.

Nigerian law is superior to any other law. These NFF officials are taking the country for a ride, they should be charged for contempt and be investigated,” the stakeholder said.

Meanwhile, the Players Football Association of Nigeria (PFAN) has sought the intervention of the Federal Government in the crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation.

The body asked the NFF to obey an order of the Federal High Court barring the conduct of its election on September 30th in Edo state.

The group warned the NFF not to breach the football peace by defying the court order.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja at the weekend, Spokesperson of the PFAN, Victor Baribote revealed that the association was ready to bear all sorts of names to bring the desired growth and development to Nigerian football.

He said holding elections in Edo was disturbing public peace.

“The Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria Task Force attention has been drawn to publications in the media space on the Threat by NFF and its Electoral Committee to defy the September 15, 2022 Federal High Court Abuja order putting the NFF Election on hold and proceed with the September 30 2022 Election.

“That PFAN Task force is exploring all possibilities within the ambit of the Law to ensure those who are already defying the Court Order would face the consequences of their actions.

“Our position is that all stakeholders must sit at the round table and sort the problems once but those occupying the position currently are not ready to agree to the gentleman’s agreement we made.

“Part of their prayer is that all the previous board members give way.”

Speaking also, the Board of Trustee of the PFAN Harrison Jalla revealed that failure of the NFF to amend the statute and the inability to carry all the stakeholders along was causing serious impediment to Nigerian football.

He said that the group has called the security agencies to stop the purported election slated for the 30th of September in the interest of peace, justice and the rule of law.