Destructive statements killing nation’s football, says NFF

• Probity, accountability still rooted in federation, Pinnick, Dikko insistTHE President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick, has attributed negative statements, write-ups and others about the NFF, as reasons for investors not showing interest in the nation’s football.

Speaking yesterday on ‘Focus Nigeria’, a talk-show on the Africa Independent Television, Pinnick said that several allegations raised recently about the running of the country’s football are never in the interest of the game.

“You wake up everyday and all you see are screaming, negative headlines that are daily punching holes in the fabric of the game. Investors aim to associate with what is positive and credible, but our sports have been savaged by negativity.

“There have been various interpretations to a simple FIFA audit query, which is confidential and a matter between the FIFA – appointed auditor and NFF, but it has been blown beyond proportion and people are even saying NFF embezzled money…”

The former chairman of the Delta State Football Association disclosed that the NFF actually informed the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung on request, about the audit matter, in keeping him informed of all happenings in the NFF.

“If the NFF had anything to hide with regards to the audit query, would the Federation have informed the Minister about it?

Also on the same platform, the Second Vice President of NFF and LMC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, who is the chairman of the Marketing, Sponsorship and Television Advisory Committee of the NFF, however, said that aggressive and robust marketing embarked upon by the administration to augment what comes from government has always been undermined by celebration of what is negative by other forces.