FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) are set to send a joint delegation to Nigeria as the leadership crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) continues to deepen.
The planned visit follows a September 1 meeting in Zurich involving FIFA, CAF, NFF officials and representatives of the Federal Government. FIFA said the upcoming assessment mission will engage stakeholders and examine the legal, administrative, governance and electoral issues surrounding the crisis.
The international football bodies have also directed that the NFF electoral process remain suspended until their assessment is completed. The mission is expected to meet NFF officials, members of the federation, electoral bodies and representatives of the Federal Government, including the National Sports Commission.
However, reports of an imminent FIFA ban should be treated cautiously. FIFA has reportedly stressed that it has not reached a conclusion on the crisis or determined what action may follow its assessment. This means the possibility of sanctions remains a concern, but a ban has not been announced.
The development is significant because FIFA regulations generally protect the independence of national football associations from undue government interference. Any finding that Nigeria’s football administration has failed to meet those requirements could have consequences for the country’s participation in international competitions.
The crisis intensified after NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee resigned. The NFF subsequently suspended preparations for its planned September 27 elective congress and announced plans for reforms.
