NFF exposes fake FIFA letter as Nigeria delegation meets football body

The Nigeria Football Federation has rejected as entirely fake a letter circulating in the media that appeared to warn Nigeria of suspension from international football.

The document, dated 1 September and purportedly signed by FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafström, claimed FIFA was concerned about the resignation of former NFF President Ibrahim Gusau. It also alleged that FIFA had demanded clarification within seven days and could ask its council to suspend the NFF from FIFA and CAF competitions.

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The NFF has debunked news of a ‘letter’ circulating in sections of the media as being from world-football governing body, FIFA. It is totally fake.

The federation said the letter was fabricated. “The NFF has debunked news of a ‘letter’ circulating in sections of the media as being from world-football governing body, FIFA. It is totally fake,” the NFF said in a statement.

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FIFA has already accepted the resignations of former principal officers and Members of the NFF Exco.

According to the NFF, FIFA has already accepted the resignations of Gusau, former General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee. The federation said discussions involving the National Sports Commission, the interim NFF administration, CAF and FIFA were continuing on a comprehensive reform plan and a roadmap for Nigerian football.

The clarification came as a Nigerian delegation led by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko met FIFA officials at the governing body’s headquarters in Zurich. The delegation included NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade, former NFF President Amaju Pinnick and NFF Interim General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme. The meeting formed part of talks over the restructuring of the NFF after the mass resignations. “Mutual engagement between the NSC, NFF administration, CAF is ongoing with FIFA on the comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football, including agreeing a road map going forward in accordance to the relevant rules books and statutes,” the NFF said.

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Mutual engagement between the NSC, NFF administration, CAF is ongoing with FIFA on the comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football, including agreeing a road map going forward in accordance to the relevant rules books and statutes.