Governing Bodies
Will it work this time? For the 3rd time, Nigeria and Morocco sign partnership agreements…
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has announced a partnership agreement with Morocco.
According to a media release, the agreement is anchored on the need for a more robust and cordial relationship between the Nigeria and Kingdom of Morocco.
It was the aftermath of a meeting in Abuja between the President of the NFF, Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the Ambassador of Morocco to Nigeria, Moha Ou Ali Tagma.
Sports Village Square recalls that similar agreement was signed on 26 May 2017 in Morocco between the NFF and the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football in Rabat.
Another leg of the agreement was signed by Shehu Dikko of the now defunct LMC and Said Naciri of
Ligue Nationale de Football Professionnel (LNFP).
The implementation of the agreement was never seen just like an older one signed in Ibadan in 1984 between the managment of the then IICC Shooting Stars and Magreb Fez of Morocco when both met in the quarter-finals of the then African Cup of Champions Clubs.
It was signed in the Ibadan house of Late Chief Lekan Salami. The agreement which was to see the two clubs exchange visits annually, was never implemented.
Accompanying the NFF boss to the signing of the latest agreement were NFF 1st Vice President, Felix Anyansi-Agwu and board members Margaret Icheen and Sharif Rabiu Inuwa.
According to the release, Gusau informed the Moroccan ambassador, Tagma that the visit was both in appreciation of the co-operation that the NFF and Nigeria Football teams have received from the embassy in the past and in recognition of the great role that Morocco is playing in African football at the moment.
“We have just come in as new board of the NFF, and having served on the previous board and fully aware of the co-operation that Your Excellency and Mission Staff have afforded the NFF and Nigeria Football over the years, and the need to foster stronger ties with Morocco, we have decided to come and explore the possibility of excellent partnership agreements that could benefit both countries in the long run.
“The accomplishments of Morocco in the area of infrastructure and organizational capacity cannot be over-emphasized. Anyone fully involved in African Football will appreciate the role that Morocco is playing at the present. As we speak, our Bayelsa Queens are playing in the CAF Women Champions League ongoing in Morocco.
“Our Super Falcons played in the Women AFCON there a few months ago and the Super Eagles played an AFCON qualifier there in June.”
“The FA President, Mr. Fouzi Lekjaa is a friend and brother, and very passionate about the African game. The NFF will seek ties with Morocco that will ultimately benefit Nigeria Football in the area of development.”
The Moroccan ambassador, Tagma congratulated Gusau and the new NFF Board, while underscoring the existing excellent relationship between the two countries, particularly in football.
“Nigeria has a strong pedigree in football in Africa and the world. Names like (Jay Jay) Okocha ring bells everywhere. They have placed Nigeria’s name on a high pedestal globally.
“It is a pity Nigeria did not qualify for Qatar 2022, but you are up there among the strongest and most revered. We are inviting you to visit Morocco to talk to the Football Federation on how our two countries can have an even stronger relationship.
“Someone once told me that only two things can draw a crowd of 100,000 and above: religion and football.”
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.
Visit the Sports Village Square Channel:
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
Visit the Sports Village Square Channel:
https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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
Uruguay Wary of Cabo Verde Challenge After Islanders Hold Spain
Spain Seek Repeat of 2006 Success Against Saudi Arabia
Courtois Eyes Belgian Record as Iran Chase Key World Cup Victory
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup2 days ago
‘Most Oppressed Team’: Iran Set for FIFA Showdown Over Travel Rules
- World Cup12 hours ago
U.S. defends Iran World Cup travel restrictions, says discussions ongoing
- World Cup1 week ago
Atlas Lions Roar Again: Morocco Hold Five-Time Champions, Brazil In Another World Cup Statement
- World Cup6 days ago
Back in Canada After 39 Years: A Return to Where the Journey Began
- World Cup6 days ago
Doku Faces World Cup-or-Fatherhood Dilemma as Belgium Star Awaits First Child
- World Cup6 days ago
Tunisia Become Second African Casualty as Sweden Hit Five in World Cup Rout
- World Cup6 days ago
Salah Eyes Birthday Gift as Egypt Seek Historic World Cup Breakthrough Against Belgium
- World Cup1 week ago
Advocaat Set to Make World Cup History as Curaçao Face Germany