FIFA, CAF begin assessment of NFF crisis

FIFA and CAF officials commenced a review of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) crisis on Monday, meeting with National Sports Commission chairman Shehu Dikko and NFF federating units in Abuja. The meeting came after NFF president Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, and other board members resigned en masse on August 27 amid criticism of Nigeria’s national and youth teams' performance, especially their failure to qualify for the World Cup.

The FIFA and CAF delegation, led by Ahmed Harraz, Rolf Tanner, El Hadj Wack Diop, and Nnaemeka Olu, focused on the legal, governance, administrative, and electoral implications of the NFF developments. Dikko briefed the delegation on the government's proposed reform agenda for sports before other NFF Congress members joined the discussion.

The review is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the mass resignation, efforts to restructure governance, the NFF statutes, electoral process, a new timetable for the elective congress, and the government's role in NFF affairs. The NFF statutes and electoral process are key areas of concern, with stakeholders advocating for a more inclusive federation.

Rivers and 3SC received $100,000 from CAF, while the NFF suspended a referee over a controversial goal in Doma United. FIFA had said no decision had been made despite receiving communications from stakeholders, emphasizing that the assessment would precede any recommendations. The assessment aims to establish a lawful and acceptable route back to a functioning NFF Congress, aiming to resolve the leadership crisis that has generated controversy around election periods.