Pinnick Never Applied For FIFA Seat – NFF Debunks Reports

A statement issued by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said Mr. Amaju Pinnick had in no time applied for nomination for a FIFA Council seat.

“It is not an illegitimate ambition for a Nigerian to aspire to be in the FIFA Council. In future, perhaps, Pinnick or any other worthy Nigerian who is able to receive the support of the government will approach CAF to be nominated to the council,” Sanusi said.

The NFF General Secretary also called on “some sections” of the media to cross-check their facts before going public with fallacies.

“This administration has always harped on the fact that it does not abhor criticisms. What we are against is sheer falsehood made to look like facts. As it is said in the media, “facts are sacred and comments are free.” It is important to separate facts from opinion.”

Recall that CAF on Wednesday shortlisted seven possible candidates that will contest for the elections into the FIFA Council scheduled for September 29.

The shortlisted candidates are: Almamy Kabele Camara (Guinea); Suketu Patel (Sychelles); Kwesi Nyantakyi (Ghana); Ahmad (Madagascar); Augustin Senghor (Senegal); Hamidou Djibrilla (Niger) and Chabur Goc Alei (South Sudan).

With no Nigerian represented, reports emerged that the African football regulatory body refused to endorse Amaju Pinnick’s nomination, which would have enabled him to contest for a the council seat later this month.

Earlier in the week, the NFF boss had admitted his desire to run either CAF or FIFA.

Speaking to a Lagos-based radio station, Lagos Talks FM, Pinnick said: “As big as Nigeria, we don’t have a representative in CAF or in FIFA, so if I am ambitious to go to CAF or FIFA, yes because I am the president of the NFF, not because I’m just a member.

“I am praying about it and if God wills it, why not? But the truth is Nigeria needs a presence globally and this is exactly what we are doing.”