After weeks of silence, world football governing body (FIFA), has begun investigation into financial irregularities and inconsistencies relating to the use of FIFA-allocated funds in Congo.

Few weeks ago, a Congolese court had sentenced the President of the country football association, Jean-Guy Mayolas, to life imprisonment, while his wife, son and some officials of the football body were also convicted over alleged misused of FIFA funds.

The investigatory chamber of the independent FIFA Ethics Committee has opened formal proceedings against three senior officials of the Congolese Football Association in connection with alleged financial misconduct involving FIFA funds.

The proceedings follow the receipt of information and documentation gathered through a review process initiated by FIFA. “This material indicates potential financial irregularities and inconsistencies relating to the use of FIFA-allocated funds,” FIFA said. “Based on this information, the investigatory chamber has determined that there is a prima facie basis to open proceedings for potential breaches of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

“On this basis, the chairperson of the investigatory chamber has decided to open formal proceedings against the following FECOFOOT officials, Jean-Guy Mayolas, (President) of FECOFOOT and a member of the FIFA Media and Communications Committee; Wantete Badji, (General Secretary) of FECOFOOT; and Raoul Kanda, (Finance Director) of FECOFOOT.

“The conduct currently under review may amount to potential breaches of the FIFA Code of Ethics, including articles 29(Misappropriation and misuse of funds), 25 (Forgery and falsification), 20 (Conflicts of interest) and 21 (Offering and accepting gifts and other benefits). The list of possible violations may be modified as additional information becomes available.

FIFA remains committed to ensuring the responsible use of its funds worldwide and to safeguarding the integrity of football administration across all Member Associations.”

For Sports facilities expert, Ebi Egbe of Monimichelle Sports Management Company, such probe by FIFA should be extended to Nigeria as quickly as possible.

“Nigeria cannot be exempt from the positive wave of reforms aimed at curbing corruption in African football,” Egbe told The Guardian. “As a key stakeholder, we must embrace transparency, accountability, and integrity to strengthen the game and restore public trust,” he added.

On his part, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Athletics and Others Sports Commission, an NGO that advocates for accountability and transparency in sports, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, is seeking probe of NFF boards from the reign of Aminu Maigari to Amaju Pinnick and the current president Ibrahim Gusau.

Gara- Gombe, a sports entrepreneur and former Chairman of Gombe United Football Club as well as former Chairman of Gombe State Football Association, told sportsunlimited.ng that the vote of confidence passed on Ibrahim Gusau and his team by the congress in Yanegoa was expected.

“Let me talk about the vote of confidence passed on the NFF leadership. It is their right and normal to pass a vote of confidence. It has a precedent, it is not a new thing.
To think that the vote of confidence passed on Gusau led NFF is the first one, no, it is not.

“Any offence the Gusau led NFF is said to have been committed, it is 10 times less than what former NFF President, Amaju Pinnick committed. A vote of confidence on Amaju led NFF was passed.

Why should people complain now?
There was precedence, every single thing the Gusau led NFF had done badly, the worst happened during Amaju Pinnick tenure and a vote of confidence was passed.”

Gara-Gombe continues: “If Amaju could do eight years, Gusau also must finish eight years.
All we are doing now is recycling hypocrisy. People talking today, where were they when Amaju Pinnick was there? Gusau is also a Nigerian.

“I am not a sentimental person. I don’t discuss the region you come from or who you are, let the truth be told. I have heard some ex-players like Mikel Obi talking about reforms in NFF. Why was he silent for eight years Amaju Pinnic was in office?

“Mikel Obi was a beneficiary of our football. The Mikel Obi that is talking today, what happened to Vincent Enyeama, one of our best goalkeepers, the most capped player?
Mikel Obi was there and he hypocritically kept quiet. Is it now his eyes are open that we need reforms in Nigerian football or regime change.

“These mishaps will continue to happen in NFF until an investigation is carried out starting from from Aminu Maigari tenure, else we are going nowhere.

“All these players talking today once visited President Tinubu soon after he secured the mandate from his party in 2023. Nwankwo Kanu, Waheed Akanni, Pastor Taribo West, Jay Jay Okocha, etc went before Tinubu and could not present any paper on the way forward for Nigerian football.

“Today, they want regime change, claiming they run the game; says who? They didn’t go with an agenda to meet the president. Now, they want to talk.

“It was obvious they went for their personal interest.

“No country plan to go to FIFA World Cup in two years. It is a transition, a programme driven by process and backed by genuine activities.

“I have been speaking about the rot in Nigerian football for over 25 years and no one listens to me.

“NFF Congress has the right to pass a vote of confidence on its leadership and I saw it coming.
I hate this selective attack, Nigeria football got bad when Amaju Pinnick and Shehu Dikko led NFF for eight years.

“Reform must begin from the top.”