NFF Denies Fake FIFA Letter Threatening Nigeria With Suspension

The Nigeria Football Federation has dismissed as fake a purported FIFA letter claiming the world football governing body had raised concerns over the resignation of former NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and threatened sanctions against Nigeria.

The document, dated Sept. 1 and purportedly signed by FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafström, allegedly warned that Nigeria could be suspended from FIFA and CAF competitions if it failed to explain the circumstances surrounding Gusau’s resignation.

The NFF, however, 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 federation said in a statement Tuesday.

The federation said FIFA had already accepted the resignations of Gusau, former General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the NFF Executive Committee.

It added that discussions involving the National Sports Commission, the interim NFF administration, CAF and FIFA were ongoing over a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football.

The clarification came as an NSC delegation led by Chairman Shehu Dikko met FIFA officials in Zurich, Switzerland, Tuesday.

The delegation included NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade, former NFF President Amaju Pinnick and NFF Interim General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme.

The meeting is part of ongoing engagements with FIFA and CAF following the leadership changes at the NFF and President Bola Tinubu’s directive for comprehensive reforms in Nigerian football.

Gusau resigned Aug. 27, about a month before the scheduled end of his four-year tenure, prompting the suspension of preparations for the NFF elective congress scheduled for Sept. 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Ikpeme was subsequently appointed interim general secretary, while Ademola Olajire became interim deputy general secretary.

The NFF also dissolved the existing leadership structures of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and Nationwide League One as part of the interim restructuring.

Tinubu had directed the NSC to work with the NFF Secretariat and other stakeholders, with appropriate engagement with FIFA and CAF, to strengthen governance, administration, development pathways, competitions and accountability in Nigerian football.