Danielnino00:



You see, this is where you are wrong.

I remember that the Sierra Leone FA was suspended some years back but couldn't recollect why, so I did some digging..

FIFA suspended their FA because the president and general secretary were removed by the government. In this case, the government didn't shut down or dissolve the FA. They removed two individuals they fohnd culpable of criminal offences,yet FIFA suspended them... What do you make of that?

https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/12010/11518482/fifa-suspend-sierra-leone-fa-for-government-interference

JohnBullMySon:
As for this, I believe the malpractices are civil in nature not criminal. Some governments don't understand that as soon they send money to the FA, that money ceases to be public funds. The FA is operates as a private entity so the government has no right to investigate how money is being spent, just as the government cannot start investigating how money is spent in a private company.

However, I rechecked Nigeria's laws and it seems that bribery as a crime only covers payments to public officials. In that case, the FG can stop all spending on the NFF and demand an investigation by FIFA. let's see how the NFF can stay afloat without government money.

Lastly, I believe embezzlement is always a criminal offence. If the malpractice was embezzlement, then the person can be arrested.

Subzero047:


Do you know what Mctominay's age group is? Mctominay is not even the 2nd best defensive midfielder in Man U

JohnBullMySon:


In matters surrounding laws, we must toe the hard lines of the law. The government prosecutors can charge the individual in court. If the person is convicted and sent to jail, common sense will tell the FA that he should be replaced. Nobody can be FA president from jail. Infact as the court case is ongoing, the FA should at least suspend the individual.

Now here is the mistake. African governments tend to overact into illegality. It is not the job of the government to remove him from his duty. That is left to the FA executives. Just prosecute the man as an individual and leave out whatever office he had. When you then go and remove him from office, it becomes an illegal move and thus you give FIFA a lifeline to legally suspend you.

Always refrain from taking executive actions on behalf of the FA even if a criminal investigation is ongoing. Immediately you do that, FIFA classifies it as interference and sure it is.

JohnBullMySon:
Criminal investigation bruh, Criminal investigation. Nobody can stop the authorities from investigating a criminal offence or suspicion of criminal activity.

The motive makes it difference from interference. Interference is when you want to takeover/influence the running and administration of the FA, or override their decisions.

Danielnino00:


Enlighten me. If the government have no right to investigate how the money they send to the FA is being spent,then what right do they have to send them money in the first place?
By law, the NFF is still under the jurisdiction of the ministry of sport, therefore they are entitled to receive funding from them.. The "private entity" part used to refer to the FA is just for cover, especially in Africa...

JohnBullMySon:
The bolded is not true. In fact that was part of why the old NFA act was repealed by the assembly and replaced with a new NFF act, sometime ago.

The NFA act clashed with FIFA regulations and was repealed. The NFF act was even sent to FIFA for ratification before it was passed into law. NFF is independent and is not entitled to any government funds. In fact, in the NFF act, the NFF was charged to generate money and pay taxes.

lovewins:


It is still interference sha.

There are provisions in each FAs constitution that allows for removal of members, what the government did there was interference. They need not bother about removing anyone if they do not have an agenda. Just prove in court that the person in question is culpable and let the court sentence such to jail. If that happened and the members of the FA chooses someone else to replace the jailed president that wouldn't have been interference.

JohnBullMySon:
The bolded is not true. In fact that was part of why the old NFA act was repealed by the assembly and replaced with a new NFF act, sometime ago.

The NFA act clashed with FIFA regulations and was repealed. The NFF act was even sent to FIFA for ratification before it was passed into law. NFF is independent and is not entitled to any government funds. In fact, in the NFF act, the NFF was charged to generate money and pay taxes.

TheGoodJoe:


For a proper investigation, you need them out of the office. Imagine investigating an office without telling the occupant to vacate the office.

fabyom:
The coaches have not been paid for years, and we are blaming them for finance selection. You won't understand until you are in a similar situation with a family to feed. No one is incapable of evil. My prayer is that we won't be in such a situation. FIFA is the problem!

lovewins:


Not entirely true.

For funds that goes to them from the federal government, it can easily be tracked. Where the government may have challenges is with funds from FIFA, but they can also get that through a whistleblower. The problem has never been the absence of evidence- these guys aren't so smart to cover their tracks- it's always been the lack of political will to execute them.

The EFCC had enough on Pinnick, he had to pander to be left off the hook. It's same reason he was careful since then with his dealings with the FG. For instance, the ministry of sports dissolving the LMC (even though I agree) is interference, but Pinnick/Gasau decided to play ball and allow the ministry institute the IMC. They could have easily reported to FIFA, but some persons had them by the throat.

Danielnino00:


So you're saying the NFF doesn't get funding of any kinds from the federal government anymore?

JohnBullMySon:
The bolded is not true. In fact that was part of why the old NFA act was repealed by the assembly and replaced with a new NFF act, sometime ago.

The NFA act clashed with FIFA regulations and was repealed. The NFF act was even sent to FIFA for ratification before it was passed into law. NFF is independent and is not entitled to any government funds. In fact, in the NFF act, the NFF was charged to generate money and pay taxes.

Danielnino00:


But why can't these indigenous coaches report the NFF to FIFA? FIFA law clearly states that a country FA can be sanctioned for owing coaches salaries. Zimbabwe were banned from participating in the 2018 world cup qualifiers because of something like this...

TheGoodJoe:


FIFA does not allow interference of any kind especially for African nations. They will tag the preliminary process interference. You can't even investigate records. NFF is free hand for corruption.

Danielnino00:


I also recall there was a story making the rounds that the son of the DSS boss was allowed into the u-17 team as a "favour" to the father... Could be part of those things...

lovewins:


This response is simplistic at best. The NFA act that gives the NFF it's recognition was the brainchild of the military government and by law is under the ministry of sports. In budget matters it is even referred to as a parastatal. The FG through the ministry of sports owns the national teams, but because of the rules of sporting agencies like FIFA and FIBA that doesn't allow for direct interference with nations, and administrative body like the NFA (now NFF) was created by the FG (not by individuals) to address that needs. It's the reason why politicians largely control the NFF through the state FA apparatus.

The NFF act, which you a re alluding needed to by passed by Nigeria's national assembly first before recourse to FIFA. Point is, the NFF act being referenced itself is an act of the national assembly, so the supposed independence is BS. They only enjoy these liberties cause of FIFA's strict rule on interference. BTW, the NFF still gets money from the Nigerian government.

joelsteron:


When will Peserio try Bright Osayi and Ola Aina as 2 &3 respectively

daveP:


This!!

This is the excuse that has made us to remain stagnant for decades. Federation abound with ex footballers doing just perfect and fine in running affairs. Yet we always want to pop up this excuse whenever we talk of a footballer running things? Haba now!!

It would fit better if we switched it to "there's no guarantee a non-footballer will run this federation better"

Cos that exactly is the most perfect fit for our football since 60s

fabyom:
The coaches have not been paid for years, and we are blaming them for finance selection. You won't understand until you are in a similar situation with a family to feed. No one is incapable of evil. My prayer is that we won't be in such a situation. FIFA is the problem!

JohnBullMySon:


You're totally misunderstanding these things. First of all, an Act is a law passed by Congress. When an Act is repealed or replaced, it ceases to be law and is thrown away. The NFA Act established the old NFA which delegated a lot of authority to the minister of sports. Before there was nothing like NFF President. What we had then was NFA chairman.

A new Act, known as the NFF Act was drawn out. This Act removed the powers of the ministry of sports over the now NFF and recognised the role of FIFA and CAF. This Act was ratified by the FIFA board as conforming to FIFA regulations on the independence of football associations. This Act created the office of the NFF president and delegated executive powers to him. Before that, the NFA chairman used to be under the minster's directives and the NFA was recognized as a parastatal.

This new NFF Act was passed into law in 2017 with many lawyers and government agents kicking against it. NFF is NOT a parastatal but an independent body. The Act also made football a national heritage giving the NFF the ability to apply for government grants and subventions. Now this seems to be their major source of revenue.

The new NFF act makes it legal for FIFA to suspend the NFF because according to Nigerian laws, any act of interference by the government on NFF, is considered illegal.

Danielnino00:


But why can't these indigenous coaches report the NFF to FIFA? FIFA law clearly states that a country FA can be sanctioned for owing coaches salaries. Zimbabwe were banned from participating in the 2018 world cup qualifiers because of something like this...

AndSunGorilla:

I agree with all you said except the last sentence sir.

Philosopher1979:
NIGERIA FOOTBALL IS STILL GROWING DESPITE THE U23 PROBLEM

The funny thing about the poor perfomance of our u23
is that people may think we dont have good players.
Actually, we do.
Our football academies and foreign born players have taken care of the
issue of developing quality players for our national teams
What is happening is that the administrative rot in the NFF is killing the
efforts of different individuals to develop quality players for our national teams.
Most Nigerian coaches (including Yusuf) collect bribes before fielding players
and delibrately leave out good players who cannot bribe them
This is the main problem and not lack of quality players
All we need to do is kick out corruption and maladministration from nff
The problems is that most Nigerian coaches have not been paid for months or years
and this leads to them embracing mediocrity for money and low morale and a shoddy job.
https://www.owngoalnigeria.com/2023/03/29/representative-of-arsenal-midfielder-opens-up-on-cash-for-spot-in-nigeria-u23-after-loss-to-guinea/
The link above shows it.
There is a serious need to overhaul the leadership of nff.
NFF is driving initialives like barcelona football academy in NIgeria, remo stars etc behind.
Maybe they should disolve the leadership of NFF and appoint new leaders and coaches.
What happended is i felt the effort of individuals and organizations can by pass NFF's corruption and lack of ambition
BUT alas it did not work.
Any effort to develop football is fustrated by some corrupt and strange personalities in NFF

Philosopher1979:
NIGERIA FOOTBALL IS STILL GROWING DESPITE THE U23 PROBLEM

The funny thing about the poor perfomance of our u23
is that people may think we dont have good players.
Actually, we do.
Our football academies and foreign born players have taken care of the
issue of developing quality players for our national teams
What is happening is that the administrative rot in the NFF is killing the
efforts of different individuals to develop quality players for our national teams.
Most Nigerian coaches (including Yusuf) collect bribes before fielding players
and delibrately leave out good players who cannot bribe them
This is the main problem and not lack of quality players
All we need to do is kick out corruption and maladministration from nff
The problems is that most Nigerian coaches have not been paid for months or years
and this leads to them embracing mediocrity for money and low morale and a shoddy job.
https://www.owngoalnigeria.com/2023/03/29/representative-of-arsenal-midfielder-opens-up-on-cash-for-spot-in-nigeria-u23-after-loss-to-guinea/
The link above shows it.
There is a serious need to overhaul the leadership of nff.
NFF is driving initialives like barcelona football academy in NIgeria, remo stars etc behind.
Maybe they should disolve the leadership of NFF and appoint new leaders and coaches.
What happended is i felt the effort of individuals and organizations can by pass NFF's corruption and lack of ambition
BUT alas it did not work.
Any effort to develop football is fustrated by some corrupt and strange personalities in NFF

AndSunGorilla:

We can't isolate football from the general issues in 9ja. Who do we want to rid the place of "corruption", the corrupt government? When a total change happens in Nigeria, NFF too will automatically change.