FIFA, CAF send delegation to Abuja, begin review of NFF reforms

The world football governing body, FIFA, has disputed reports that it had reached an agreement with the National Sports Commission (NSC) delegation on the proposed reforms of football administration in Nigeria.

The development follows reports suggesting that a delegation led by NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director-General, Bukola Olopade, had secured FIFA’s backing for the proposed reforms.

However, FIFA, in an email dated September 7 and addressed to Barrister Emmanuel Ikpeme, said the matter was still under assessment.

The email, signed by Elkhan Mammadov, FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, stated: “FIFA and CAF are currently assessing the legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications arising from the current circumstances within the NFF.”

The football body added that the assessment required a careful review of the relevant facts, the applicable Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) regulatory framework and the positions presented by the various stakeholders involved.

“At this stage, FIFA and CAF have not reached any conclusions regarding the matters under review and no determination has been made with respect to any potential next steps.”

FIFA also requested that Ikpeme, whom it only recognised as Deputy General Secretary (not acting GS), should serve as the primary point of contact between the NFF, FIFA and CAF, not the NSC, until further notice.

To further buttress the relevance of the FAs, FIFA, while requesting that the ongoing electoral process be suspended, said no further steps or decisions be taken in connection with that process until further notice.

“This request is made in order to preserve the status quo while FIFA and CAF complete their assessment of the current situation and engage with the relevant stakeholders. It should not be interpreted as a determination regarding the validity of any decisions, actions, processes, positions or interpretations advanced by any stakeholder in relation to the current FIFA Statutes.

“In addition, FIFA and CAF intend to conduct a joint assessment mission to Abuja, Nigeria, at the earliest possible opportunity. The purpose of this mission will be to engage with the relevant stakeholders and gather the information necessary to enable FIFA and CAF to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the situation.

“To this end, meetings will be organised with, among others: representatives of the NFF administration; representatives of the Members of the NFF; representatives of the NFF electoral bodies; and representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria, including the National Sports Commission (NSC).

“We would appreciate your support in coordinating the logistical arrangements for the mission and facilitating the organisation of the above-mentioned meetings with the relevant stakeholders.

“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.

“Following completion of this assessment process, FIFA and CAF will determine whether any recommendations or proposals should be submitted to the competent decision-making bodies within FIFA and CAF in accordance with their respective Statutes and regulations.

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“Until such time, the outcome of the assessment remains open and no assumptions should be made as to any action that FIFA and CAF may or may not take,” the statement reads.

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