PFAN petitions FIFA over alleged concealment of match fixing in Nigeria

The Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria’s (PFAN) Taskforce has petitioned world football governing body, FIFA, alleging that the past six years of Nigeria Football Professional League (NPFL) was for the highest bidder.

In a letter dated November 2, 2022, addressed to FIFA General Secretary, obtained by The Guardian, yesterday, PFAN stated that its petition was as a result of an ‘open confession vide the communiqué’ released by the Club Owners Association of Nigeria in which it categorically stated that the past six years of the NPFL was characterised by match-fixing.

The PFAN petition to FIFA, signed by Comrade Edema Fuludu (Secretary TaskForce), reads: “The communiqué was released after their meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday, October 17, 2022.

“Match-fixing is capable of destroying the fabrics of football, which is a national asset to Nigerians. This confessional statement of fact on match fixing is a reinforcement of an earlier letter by the so-called Association of Club Owners sent to the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development of Nigeria on September 1, 2022, after a courtesy visit to him.”

According to PFAN, the match-fixing allegation in the NPFL should be of grave concern and top priority to FIFA.

“The PFAN Task Force demands a quick and thorough investigation into this statement that has brought professional football in Nigeria to total disrepute and bring those involved to book.

“The principal officers of the so-called Club Owners Association of Nigeria and Management of the out-gone League Management Company (LMC) for their inglorious acts of aiding and concealment have a case to answer and your urgent intervention is sacrosanct.

“If no action is taken within 21 days of your receipt of this letter, the PFAN Task Force will resort to invite the various financial crime agencies in Nigeria to investigate this opprobrium.

“We rely on your desire to eliminate match fixing in football worldwide,” Fuludu stated.The Guardian learnt, yesterday, that former Flying Eagles player, Awala Jumbo, had in 2017, written a petition against the then chairman of the Referees Committee, Ahmed Fresh, but it was swept under the carpet.

“Ahmed Fresh returned to the NFF board during its September 30, 2022 election in Benin City as the Chairman of Chairmen,” the Task Force said.