Governing Bodies
Nigeria football problems: “Am the Answer”, declares Pastor Idah Peterside, ex-international
As the build up to the elective congress of the Nigeria Football Federation gathers momentum, one of the aspirants, Idah Peterside has sent an audio clip to the Sports Village Square to enunciate his plans for Nigerian football and why he should be elected as president in succession to the incumbent, Amaju Pinnick.
Peterside, a former Nigerian international who is also a pastor is not the only aspirant to become the NFF President. But he has unfolded his vision in a five minute and 22 second audio clip sent to the Sports Village Square.
Here is his declaration:
“My name is Dr. Idah Peterside, former international Nigeria player. I have served Nigeria with all my strength.
“I have been involved with football since I was 16 -17 years. I played for great teams in Nigeria – Sharks of Port Harcourt, Enyimba, Rangers, BCC Lions, I even played for NNPC Warri.
“So football is basically my life. Fortunately for me I had 15 appearances for the national team and I have two caps. I have served football all my life and I think it is the right time to come back and offer my experience.
“I have been involved in media. I worked for Super Sports for 20 years, I was the media officer to the Super Eagles for four years. I attended two nations cup and one World Cup.
“I have the experience not just the experience.
In the history of Nigerian football, no ex footballer, again I say it, no ex footballer has led the NFF. I think that’s not right. It’s our game.
“We don’t condemn all those that have served before us, we appreciate their contributions, especially the last board led by Amaju Pinnick.
“They’ve done great things for Nigerian football. But I think it is time to move forward. I think it is time for a new thing. There is coming a revolution.
“This revolution comes with integrity. This revolution comes with passion. We will move Nigeria football forward. Our teams need to be supported.
“Our national team needs to be the best. It cannot be otherwise. Our clubsides need to be playing in the finals of the Champions League and cup tournaments all around Africa.
“We are Nigeria. We are a proud nation. Therefore, it is expected that we should lead the surge to be the best in Africa. There will be changes. We will go to the grassroots.
“We will develop out football grassroots. The FA president will be involved. We will make sure that we will support them in anyway they need support.
“An the clubsides will play with our enumerations. We will make sure we have TV rights. We’ll bring television back to our game. We will change the course of football in Nigeria.
“What about women’s football? We will take time out specially to make sure that our sisters and our daughters play to the highest level. We will help them in every way.
“We will train coaches to be involved in women’ football. An we will see that with time, our ladies will be world beaters. It’s going to be beautiful.
“I want to be elected and I speak with all the clubs chairmen. It doesn’t matter where you come from, whom you are, how long you have been around . It is what do you have to offer.
“I have a lot to offer. I love Nigeria. I love football. I have played football to the highest level. I want to call all the stakeholders: do not look at faces this time. Look at the game.
“Nigerians are suffering. Nigerians are looking for answers. We are looking for answers. I believe I am the answer. I will turn things around. I will bring dignity back to our football.
“People will be excited again about Nigeria football. Clubsides will enjoy the benefit of my leadership. Fans around the world will be excited wearing our jerseys and carrying our flags and seeing indeed that Nigeria is back.
“I want to be elected as the president. I will carry footballers along. I will carry top veterans along. It will be a place of peace. Trust me. This is what am called to do, to bring peace.
“Therefore, there would be peace. Peace in our football. Joy in our footbal. People will be excited that our football is back. But you need to give me your mandate.
“I ask for your mandate. We would solve Nigeria football problem. I promise you. There will be discipline. There will be integrity. Our referees will be top class around the world. Our coaches will be helped and developed as much as we need what to do.
“We will help our football. You will see in the first three months of my reign, it will begin to show. I have a dream and that dream is to have a massive complex a place where our national team can always gather.
“I have travelled around the world – Morocco and in Holland, there is a place called Papendal. It is a beauty to behold. Why not in Nigeria.
“I appeal to all those in charge; there should be no cliques, there should be no war. Let’s talk football. Let save our football. Give me your mandate.
“My name is Idah Peterside. Thank you for listening to me. It’s going to be better. I promise you. God bless you.”
World football governing body, FIFA, today clocks its 122nd anniversary, celebrating more than a century of overseeing and expanding the global game.
Founded on May 21, 1904, in Paris, France, FIFA began with just seven member associations — France, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
From that modest beginning, the organisation has grown into the most influential sports governing body in the world, with 211 member associations spread across all continents.
Over the decades, FIFA has transformed football into a truly global phenomenon through competitions such as the FIFA World Cup, Women’s World Cup, Club World Cup, youth tournaments, and developmental programmes aimed at growing the game worldwide.
The organisation has also witnessed remarkable milestones, including the expansion of the men’s World Cup from 13 teams in 1930 to 48 teams beginning from the 2026 edition to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA’s journey has equally reflected football’s growing influence beyond sport, with the game becoming a major tool for diplomacy, social inclusion, youth empowerment, and economic development across the world.
As FIFA celebrates 122 years of existence, attention is now focused on the future of the game, technological innovations, expanded competitions, women’s football growth, and the continued globalisation of football.
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UEFA has issued a lifetime ban to Petr Vlachovsky, a Czech women’s soccer coach who secretly filmed his players, the governing body announced on Tuesday.
Czech media reported that the coach was convicted in May 2025 and initially received a suspended one-year prison sentence and a five-year domestic coaching ban for filming FC Slovacko’s players in changing rooms, the youngest of whom was 17.
In a statement, UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) said it had decided to ban Vlachovsky “from exercising any football-related activity for life” following the appointment of an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to investigate allegations of potential misconduct.
“The CEDB further decided to request FIFA to extend the abovementioned ban on a worldwide level and to order the Football Association of the Czech Republic to revoke Mr Petr Vlachovsky’s coaching licence,” the statement added.
FC Slovacko did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Football players’ union FIFPRO welcomed the ban as well as UEFA’s request for world soccer governing body FIFA to impose an international ban on Vlachovsky.
“This outcome sends a strong and necessary message that abusive and inappropriate behaviour has no place in football and that safeguarding the well-being of players must remain a priority at every level of the game,” FIFPRO added in a statement.
Vlachovsky had also previously served as coach of the Czech women’s Under-19s team.
RELATED STORY: https://sportsvillagesquare.com/2026/04/08/outrage-as-male-coach-who-secretly-filmed-women-players-still-free-to-work-in-football/
-Reuters
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Southampton have been kicked out of the Championship playoff final after being found guilty of spying on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough, the English Football League said on Tuesday.
Middlesbrough, who lost 2-1 to Southampton on aggregate in the semi, have been reinstated and will face Hull City on Saturday in what is dubbed the world’s richest soccer match.
Promotion to the Premier League, even with an immediate relegation, is estimated to be worth in the region of 200 million pounds ($268.10 million) over three seasons.
Southampton, who admitted the charges, were also found guilty of filming training sessions involving Oxford United in December and Ipswich Town in April during the regular season.
They have also been deducted four points from the start of next season in England’s second tier.
“An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Championship play-offs after the club admitted multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training,” the EFL said.
“Southampton admitted breaches of Regulations requiring Clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another Club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match.
“The effect of today’s order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 play-offs and will proceed to the play-off final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kick-off time to be confirmed.”
The EFL confirmed that Southampton could appeal against the decision and that “parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May.
“Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture,” the statement said.
‘BORO CALLED FOR SOUTHAMPTON EXPULSION
Middlesbrough had called for Southampton’s expulsion after having a training session at their Rockliffe Park site filmed 48 hours ahead of the first leg of their playoff semi-final with Southampton which ended 0-0.
The north-east club said they welcomed the decision.
“We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct,” the north Middlesbrough said in a statement.
“As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday.”
Southampton were relegated from the Premier League last season and were struggling in the early part of this campaign until a storming finish in which they went unbeaten in 19 league games to finish fourth and enter the playoffs.
The south-coast club are the first to fall foul of the Football League’s regulation 127 — brought in after Leeds United were found guilty of spying on Derby County seven years ago, an offence for which they were fined 200,000 pounds.
-Reuters
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