Governing Bodies
A new Sheriff takes over at Nigeria Football Federation today
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
A change of guard is expected today in Benin City as Amaju Pinnick steps down as the chieftain of the Nigeria Football Federation for a new president.
Coincidentally, It is exactly eight years since he was first elected on 30 September 2014 in Warri Delta State. He thus become the man with the longest tenure in office, either cumulatively or in one stretch since the football body was formed 21 August 1933.
His long tenure contrast sharply with that of Alfred Osula who was chairman of the then NFA for just 21 days.
Osula was in charge from 30 December 1963 to 20 January 1964. Next to him was Col. C.K. Lawson who ruled at NFA for 39 days in 1971 before he was removed.
Pinnick has exceeded the former longest tenure of Sunday Dankaro who was in charge from 1974 to 1980. The NFF secretariat is named after him in Abuja.
Jostling to take over are two of his immediate lieutenants, Seyi Akinwunmi, an attorney, and Shehu Dikko, the second vice president who also ruled the now disbanded League management Company.
In what was initially an NFF XI, a candidate, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam, pulled out of the race earlier in the week. Now, there are 10 contestants.
So joining the vice presidents who are eyeing elevation are current Executive Committee members Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande.
From the secretariat are two former staff members of the NFF, Musa Amadu, the immediate past General Secretary and Head of Safety and Security of the Confederation of African Football, Dr. Christian Emeruwa.
Also in the hunt for the exalted post are Chairman of the FCT Football Association, Adam Mouktar Mohammed; former Nigeria international goalkeeper, Peterside Idah; former Chairman of Kano Pillars FC and respected technocrat, Abba Abdullahi Yola and; UK-based David-Buhari Doherty.
According to a media release by the NFF, Paul Yusuf from Plateau State is disqualified as a result of invalid nomination; the same axe that swept Marcellinus Anyanwu from Imo State out of the race.
Among the contestants into the NFF Board, only
Yusuf Ahmed known as ‘Fresh’ is assured of his seat, even ahead of the election as he will replace Ibrahim Musa Gusau as Chairman of Chairmen.
He awaits who will be his president and also the first vice president.
For the latter position, Enyimba strongman, Felix Anyansi-Agwu who till now is a board member is seeking to climb up the ladder as 1st Vice President to replace an equally top-position seeking Seyi Akinwunmi.
Joining the Enyimba Pillar in what is a triangular battle are Obinna Ogba, a serving senator as well as member of the out-going board and Chinedu Okoye.
Emeka Inyama, a pastor, just like the Biblical Paul, is seeking a second missionary journey into the NFF board. He was on the board led by Aminu Maigari and his tenure spilled over into the early years of Pinnick’s first tenure.
Jostling to be board members are also four former international footballers – Chikelue Iloenyosi (Anambra), Karibe Ojigwe (Abia), Daniel Amokachi (Benue State) and Benedict Akwuegbu (Plateau State).
Joining them in the potentially explosive contest are Jude Benjamin Obikwelu (Anambra State) Emmanuel Ochiagha (Imo State).
For North Central are Mohammed Alkali (Nasarawa State); Margaret Icheen (Benue State); Idris Abdullahi Musa (Kwara State)
Current Member of Board, Ms Aisha Falode tops the list of candidates from the South South region, with Kenneth Nwaomucha (Delta State); Gregory Abang (Cross River State); Roland Abu Omomoh (Edo State); Poubeni Ogun (Bayelsa State); Jarret Tenebe (Edo State) and; Essien Udofot (Akwa Ibom State) also vying for seats from that zone.
Current Member of Board, Ganiyu Majekodunmi leads the list of contestants for seats from the South West, with Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Ondo State); Ayodeji Ogunjobi (Osun State); Olawale Gafar Liameed (Lagos State); Afolabi Taiwo Olugbenga (Osun State); Ayodeji Adegbenro (Ondo State) and Pelumi Jacob Olajengbesi (Osun State) also in the race.
North East candidates are current Member of Board, Babagana Kalli (Borno State); Sajo Mohammed (Adamawa State) and Timothy Henman Magaji (Taraba State)
Current Member of Board, Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Kano State) is the only candidate from the North West.
The elections will commence after other items on the agenda for the 78th Annual General Assembly have been dealt with. Winners would be sworn in immediately after the elections.
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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