Sporting Integrity Foundation is calling on the Nigeria football federation and the National Sports Commission to consider withdrawing support for Mr. Giannini Infantino’s re-election bid at FIFA.
This call is on the backdrop of the exposé of the New York Times which details how FIFA through it’s disciplinary committee jettisoned integrity, and fair play for political influence and individual benefits in Nigeria’s protest against the Democratic Republic of Congo following the world cup qualifying playoffs, in which goalkeeper Lionel Mpassi illegally featured for DRC; in what is a breach of FIFA’s standing rules.
Sport Integrity Foundation recalls how Nigeria filed a protest in hopes that DR Congo will be penalised for fielding an ineligible player. However, according to the NY Times, FIFA knew DR Congo violated the rules but chose to dismiss Nigeria’s appeal with a mere excuse of ‘technicality’.
The report further pointed to a likely undue influence and unethical relationship between Mr. Infantino and current DR Congo Football Association President, Mr Mosengo Omba who was the then CAF Secretary General.
Sporting Integrity Federation also recalls that former NFF President had pledged Nigeria’s support for Mr Infantino’s re-election, a position we are asking the Nigerian Government through the NSC to reconsider, especially, with recent revelations and many allegations of procedural breaches and undue political influence which Mr Infantino himself admitted to during and after the world cup.
Sports Integrity Foundation urges the Nigerian government and NSC in the absence of a substantial NFF board to retrospect what missing out of the 2026 FIFA world cup cost Nigeria football and the country at large.
The NFF could have received at least, 10 million dollars, which could have further strengthened Nigeria’s football development through sporting infrastructure and personnel development; as well as possible contributions to Nigeria’s goal of becoming a 1 trillion Naira economy.
In addition, Sporting Integrity Foundation urges the NSC to use this incident as a stimulator to ensure only competent individuals are saddled with Nigerian football and sports in general.
Signed,
Godwin Dele
Secretary.