Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Melvin Amaju Pinnick has assured stakeholders, fans and journalists that officials of the soccer governing body will continue being above board in all matters affecting intake and expenditure of money, megasportssarena.com reports.
Although he admitted that the ongoing war against coronavirus pandemic has left the NFF in a tight financial condition, with several unpaid fees starring them in the face and various means of revenue blocked by the pandemic, Pinnick insisted the officials will remain transparent in all matters concerning the finances of Nigerian football.
He threw more light on how money received from the world soccer governing body, FIFA, as well as the continental equivalent, Confederation of African Football (CAF) are being disbursed, as he assured that the NFF will remain clean in all money matters, while also expressing optimism that that everything will return to normal after the coronavirus pandemic.
The NFF boss said he is optimistic that the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and FA Cup will both be concluded successfully, all levels of the national teams will run seamlessly once again, youth development will get an extra boosts and everything in general about Nigerian football will be back rolling better after the war against COVID-19 is finally won.
Pinnick added: “We were quite explicit in official press statements with regards to monies we have received from FIFA and how it would be expended. We sought the advice of FIFA on the utilization of the monies and we have done accordingly.
“A few days ago, we received a circular from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on the imminence of the sum of $200,000 into our accounts. This money is our annual statutory funds from CAF and not anything special, though it is coming earlier this year.
“Every money we receive, whether from Government, sponsors or FIFA/CAF, we inform the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports and we usually propose how the monies would be utilized. If they object to any particular utilization sub-head, we comply.
“Unfortunately, we lost the Chairman of the NNL, Hon. Chidi Okenwa. May his soul rest in peace. What I can assure is that once we get the green light from the Federal Government to get going with football, we will ensure that the NNL and the other leagues also get going alongside the NPFL. The Football Committee will present its report by next week, and we are also looking to boost the leagues with solidarity funds from FIFA and from sponsorship funds.
“I have always said that we have special love for the Super Falcons. That is the team that has won the most laurels for this country and we appreciate and adore them. I will be in contact with FIFA during the week to know when we will receive the appearance fee from the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. That money is the sum of $760,000, and 30 per cent of that money is for the team to share.
“The truth is that the leagues have boards and the boards are to source for sponsorship for their leagues. But it has been tremendous hard work trying to get sponsorship for the leagues even before the pandemic. Now, things will even be tougher.
“Days ago, I was on another virtual meeting with another top company interested in broadcasting the NPFL. We are still discussing and we hope for good news by the time we get the green light to return the season.
“We are looking to still keep the age-grade teams in business, despite priority being given to the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons. But there will be conditions. They will earn no match bonus or camp allowances and we will only be able to take on board the minimum technical and backroom staff as specified by FIFA and CAF.
“However, if any of the team goes ahead and win the World Cup, or performs well enough at the World Cup to earn appearance fee, that money will be shared by the entire team. The NFF will have no part of it. That will be the boon for them, the incentive to perform.”
