Integrity Group Urges Nigeria to Rethink Support for Infantino’s Re-Election Over New York Times Report

The Sporting Integrity Foundation has called on the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission to consider withdrawing Nigeria’s support for Mr Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid as FIFA President.

In a statement signed by Secretary Godwin Dele, the group said the call followed an exposé by the New York Times detailing how FIFA, through its disciplinary committee, jettisoned integrity and fair play for political influence and individual benefits in Nigeria’s protest against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The foundation recalled that Nigeria filed a protest after goalkeeper Lionel Mpassi illegally featured for DR Congo in the World Cup qualifying playoffs, in what it described as a breach of FIFA’s standing rules.

It said the New York Times reported that FIFA knew DR Congo violated the rules but chose to dismiss Nigeria’s appeal with a mere excuse of technicality.

The report, the group noted, further pointed to a likely undue influence and unethical relationship between Infantino and current DR Congo Football Association President, Mr Mosengo Omba, who was then CAF Secretary General.

The foundation also recalled that a former NFF President had pledged Nigeria’s support for Infantino’s re-election, a position it is asking the Nigerian Government through the NSC to reconsider, especially with recent revelations and many allegations of procedural breaches and undue political influence which Infantino himself admitted to during and after the World Cup.

Dele urged the Nigerian government and the NSC, in the absence of a substantial NFF board, to retrospect on what missing out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup cost Nigeria football and the country at large.

He noted that the NFF could have received at least 10 million dollars, which could have further strengthened Nigeria’s football development through sporting infrastructure and personnel development, as well as possible contributions to Nigeria’s goal of becoming a 1 trillion Naira economy.

Dele further urged the NSC to use the incident as a stimulator to ensure only competent individuals are saddled with Nigerian football and sports in general.