FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have suspended the ongoing electoral process of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and announced plans to send a joint assessment team to Nigeria amid the federation’s deepening leadership crisis.
The decision follows a series of recent developments within the NFF, including the resignation of the federation’s president, some members of the Executive Committee and the General Secretary.
In a joint letter to the NFF signed by FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer, Elkhan Mammadov, the two football governing bodies said they were reviewing the legal, administrative, governance and electoral issues arising from the crisis.
FIFA and CAF also referred to a meeting held at the Home of FIFA in Zurich on September 1, which was attended by representatives of FIFA, CAF, the NFF and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
According to the organisations, the meeting focused on the situation within the NFF and the possible implications of the recent leadership changes.
“At this stage, FIFA and CAF have not reached any conclusions regarding the matters under review and no determination has been made with respect to any potential next steps,” the statement said.
Pending the completion of the review, FIFA and CAF designated the NFF Deputy General Secretary as the primary contact between the federation and the two international bodies.
They also directed the NFF to immediately suspend its electoral process.
“Furthermore, and without prejudice to the outcome of the ongoing assessment, FIFA and CAF request that the ongoing electoral process be suspended and that no further steps or decisions be taken in connection with that process until further notice,” the statement added.
The football bodies said the suspension was intended to preserve the status quo while they conduct their assessment and consult relevant stakeholders.
They stressed that the decision should not be interpreted as a ruling on the validity of any actions or decisions taken by individuals or groups involved in the NFF crisis.
FIFA and CAF said a joint assessment team would travel to Abuja as soon as possible to meet key stakeholders and gather information about the developments within the federation.
The team is expected to meet representatives of the NFF administration, NFF members, officials of the federation’s electoral bodies and representatives of the Federal Government, including the National Sports Commission (NSC).
The assessment will examine the circumstances surrounding the recent developments, the positions of the various stakeholders and any issues that may require further action under FIFA, CAF and NFF regulations.
Following the assessment, FIFA and CAF said they would determine whether recommendations or proposals should be submitted to their respective decision-making bodies.
The organisations cautioned stakeholders against making assumptions about possible sanctions or other measures until the review process has been concluded.
The development effectively places the NFF electoral process on hold as FIFA and CAF continue their examination of the federation’s leadership crisis.
