Normalisation Committee Gains Support in NFF Crisis

The campaign by some State Football Association chairmen for a Caretaker Committee to manage the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is losing traction as the option of a Normalisation Committee gains momentum. This shift follows consultations by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) with Nigerian football stakeholders in Abuja.

The FIFA-CAF delegation is assessing the leadership crisis in Nigerian football, meeting various stakeholders to understand the recent changes in NFF leadership. Reports indicate that four of the five major stakeholder groups, including the Nigeria Players Union, the Football Coaches Association of Nigeria, various league bodies, and the Nigeria Referees Association, favor a Normalisation Committee over a Caretaker Committee.

This preference represents a setback for those advocating for a Caretaker Committee after the resignation of former NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, Executive Committee members, and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi. A Normalisation Committee is recognized by FIFA as a mechanism for restoring normal functioning, unlike the unrecognized Caretaker Committee.