Following suspicious government interference, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is yet to endorse an interim board for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
A delegation of the football body may visit Nigeria on a fact-finding mission.
The composition of the board may be after FIFA’s meeting with stakeholders in the country.
But the association only listened to the submissions and positions presented by the Nigerian delegation.
According to a source privy to the meeting, FIFA was uncomfortable that NFF officials were arm-twisted to resign few weeks to a new election.
The source also claimed that FIFA considered the National Sports Commission (NSC) an aberration because it has no business with NFF.
The source said: ‘FIFA wasn’t happy about the NSC’s alleged interference in NFF’s affairs contrary to its statutes.
‘Instead of ratifying the Interim Board for NFF, it opted to find out what went wrong from stakeholders and the way forward instead of blanket imposition of interim board members.
‘ What is worrisome for FIFA was why NFF officials resigned few weeks to another election. FIFA could not understand why Nigeria could not abide by its statutes.’
Another source confirmed FIFA’s position.
The source said: ‘Rather than endorse the immediate constitution of an interim administration, FIFA resolved to send a delegation to Nigeria for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and consultations with the relevant football stakeholders.
‘The proposed visit is expected to provide FIFA with a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding the current impasse within the NFF, particularly following the mass resignation of members of the Gusau-led NFF Executive Committee.
‘Following its assessment and consultations in Nigeria, FIFA is expected to work with the relevant stakeholders to agree on a roadmap for resolving the crisis and restoring institutional stability within the NFF.’
‘It is important to emphasise that FIFA, as the world governing body for association football, operates within a clearly defined regulatory framework governed by its Statutes and other applicable regulations.
‘Matters relating to the administration and governance of member associations are therefore expected to be addressed strictly in accordance with these established rules and principles.’
‘Consequently, the resolution of the current situation within the NFF will ultimately have to conform to FIFA’s Statutes, regulations and established governance procedures.’
The source said reports suggesting that FIFA has already approved or ratified an interim board for the NFF, including the composition of such a board, are premature and should be treated with caution.
‘Further developments are expected following the proposed FIFA visit to Nigeria and its consultations with the relevant stakeholders,’ the source added.