Governing Bodies
Tunisia denounces racism in Brazil game, but questions identity of culprit
Tunisia’s football federation (FTF) has denounced the racism that marred Tuesday’s 5-1 defeat in Paris, where Brazil’s Richarlison had a banana thrown at him.
While the FTF awaits confirmation that it was indeed a Tunisian who threw the banana, it has condemned the action and says it will apologise unreservedly.
“We strongly condemn any practice of racism that may occur in any stadium in the world,” the FTF said in a statement.
“If the identity of the person who threw the banana is confirmed as being Tunisian, we apologise on behalf of him and on behalf of all Tunisians present at the stadium and who reaffirmed that the Tunisian fans are a phenomenon.”
“We are surprised by ignoring the ideal behaviour of the overwhelming majority of the Tunisian fans present, whose number exceeded 40,000.
“Instead some chose to insult Tunisia by insisting that the person who threw the banana is Tunisian in the absence of any evidence proving their identity, especially with Brazilian and other foreign countries fans present.”
However, the FTF criticised those spectators who had booed the Brazilian national anthem, while failing to mention the use of lasers aimed at several Brazil players as well as the referee.
“We call on Tunisian fans not to conform with the phenomenon that exists in many stadiums in the world, which represents whistling the national anthem of competing teams,” the statement continued.
“We hope that Tunisian fans will always be exceptional and perfectly-behaved, especially when we are on the verge of the World Cup.”
At the forthcoming finals in Qatar, Tunisia will meet Denmark, Australia and defending champions France in Group D.
Earlier, a leading fan group in Tunisia had taken a different stance, criticising the behaviour of some of the team’s supporters in Paris.
In a social media post, the ‘National Tunisian Team’ group labelled the actions as “lousy and offensive” while calling the individual who threw the banana “ignorant and uncivilised”.
Brazil’s football federation has already spoken out against the incident, which world governing body Fifa is investigating.
“The Brazilian federation has expressed its dissatisfaction and anger against this ‘individual’ racist behaviour, which has unfortunately tarnished all Tunisian fans,” the group said.
Richarlison’s Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur have said they are “disgusted” by the behaviour.
The match was supposed to be a prestige encounter for Tunisia, with captain Wabhi Khazri telling BBC Sport Africa before the friendly that he was expecting a ‘great party’.
The game proved anything but however, with the supporters’ regrettable actions coming on top of a heavy thrashing after Tunisia were reduced to ten men in the first half.
“Tunisian football sinks deeper,” local sports reporter Souhail Khmira told BBC Sport Africa.
“Violence is no stranger to Tunisian stadiums unfortunately, nor is hostility. The use of lasers and whistling during national anthems are unfortunately common, but throwing bananas at opponents is a new low – whether an intentional racist action or not.”
On the pitch
Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri has said his Tunisia side will learn from the defeat against Brazil, who he believes are on an equal footing to France, who the Carthage Eagles meet in Qatar in November.
“We know that France is of the same quality as Brazil so it is for us to correct the mistakes and find solutions,” said Kadri.
“The main point of the match was to learn. You need to manage difficult moments in a match. We played against an opponent that forced us to make mistakes. You can’t leave any space, you have to be completely focused.”
“We tried to press after the 2-1, but unfortunately we conceded a third goal and a red card, which made the match very difficult.
“In the second half, even though we were reduced to ten men, we tried to play at enough of a respectable level and to control possession at certain moments.
“You need to retain lessons from these kinds of matches. At this high level, you can’t make mistakes.”
Tunisia will also meet Denmark and Australia in Group D, prior to their final clash with the defending champions, who lost 2-0 against the Danes in the Nations League on Sunday.
“With the absences and the difficulties in recent times, it’s not easy for the French team – it is understandable,” said Kadri.
“We all know France will be at their best level as soon as they have their key players. The team remains a favourite to win the World Cup for a second consecutive time.’
-BBC
Governing Bodies
Sanusi set for record-extending tenure as Nigeria’s football politicians assemble in Asaba
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Speculations gathered ahead of the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Football Federation holding in Asaba on Friday have it that tenure elongation for the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, is a major item on the agenda.
Neither formal confirmation nor denial has been issued since one of the leading newspapers in Nigeria, ThisDay dropped the hint.
The agenda of the meeting is also not made public. Dr, Sanusi is the longest-serving General Secretary in history having been in office from 30 March 2015 making 3,476 days or nine years six months and four days.
It easily drowned that of his closest rival in tenure – Sani Toro whose tenure from 21 December 1993 to 3 May 1999 is merely 2020 days or five years, six months and 12 days.
Thus, no one had enjoyed a longer period in office than the incumbent, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi. It is speculated that the tenure will be extended as NFF has reported that all delegates have arrived in the Delta State capital by Thursday evening.
The NFF Annual General Assembly, the first of which took place 90 years ago in Lagos on 19 February 1934, is the biggest assemblage of football administrators and stakeholders in the country.
In one such meeting on 24 July 2008 in Makurdi, the football body changed its name from NFA to NFF.
This year, according to a press release by the NFF, the plenary will have in attendance, the chairmen and secretaries of football associations in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, chairmen and secretaries of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and the Nationwide League One, as well as chairmen and secretaries of the referees’ association, players’ union and coaches’ association. This group of 88 makes up the Congress.
They are joined by the members of the NFF Executive Committee and the management team as well as former NFF Presidents and General Secretaries.
The Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, is announced as the special guest. Nigeria’s Member of the FIFA Council, Amaju Melvin Pinnick is also expected as well as a representative of the West African Football Union (WAFU B).
The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Francis Oborevwori will declare the General Assembly open.
Venue is the Unity Hall of the Delta State Government House.
Governing Bodies
Like in Egypt, former Nigerian Olympian, Sadiq Abdulahi wants Tinubu to declare ‘State of Emergency’ in Sports
Former Nigerian tennis player and Olympian, Prof. Sadiq Abdulahi has called for drastic action to arrest the decline of Nigeria in global sporting events.
The former tennis player who is now a professor in the United States declared that the “failure to win a medal at the regular 2024 Paris Olympics, the few medals at the Paris Paralympic and the fallout at the National Youth Sports Festival has exposed the deep problems facing the sport’s sector.”
He wants Nigeria to have the same approach that the Egyptian president has taken while reacting to the country’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olypics.
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi ordered a comprehensive evaluation of sports federations that participated at the Paris Olympic Games, following a mission report submitted by the country’s sports minister.
According to Prof. Abdulahi, the National Sports Federations charged with the preparation of elite athletes have failed to do their job despite the cry for funding from the government.
“Federal Government cannot adequately fund all the Olympics sports. It is impossible.
“By declaring a state of emergency, new people, new approaches and new funding models will be identified. More importantly, the Federal Government will redefine grassroots sports development.
“We will lay sustainable foundation for sports development.”
Continuing, he called for the return of the National Sports Commission (NSC) which enabling decree was abolished through Decree No. 7 of 1991, but came back through presidential proclamation under Sani Abacha before it was abolished again.
The original NSC was established in 1964 as National Sports Council before the promulgation of Decree 34 of 1971 which legalised it as the apex Federal Government agency to control, regulate and organize sports.
“The FG may now bring back the National Sports Commission or the National Sports Authority. Our emerging national economy with the full participation of the private sector can support this new beginning. I hope this helps.”
RELATED STORY: President Al-Sisi orders sports system overhaul
Governing Bodies
CAF gives Yoruba and Arabic interpretations of ‘OLA’ the Super Cup 2024 Official Match Ball
The Confédération African of Football, CAF, has given the linguistics interpretation of OLA, the confederation’s official match balls produced by Puma which has also unveiled a special edition for the Super Cup duel holding on Friday in Saudi Arabia.
According to CAF, OLA, symbolizing the dynamic and energetic nature of African football, means “wealth,” “honour,” and “respect” in Yoruba and “rise” and “success” in Arabic.
The OLA ball stands out with its vibrant design and cultural significance. “OLA”
The ball is a mix of black and gold, representing power and sophistication. The ball will be the centrepiece of the eagerly-awaited match between the two giants of African football.
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