I am hoping that Super Eagle makes it to final in Moscow on 15th July, to play against Russia - Russian Ambassador

The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Nigeria, His Excellency Nikolay Udovichenko says he is looking forward to Nigeria and Russia clashing in the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday, 15th July 2018.

“I want to congratulate the NFF and the Super Eagles for Nigeria’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup. Please be assured that the Russian Federation is fully ready to host the competition. We have received a lot of requests from the host cities on what special characteristics the Nigerian team have. They want to be fully prepared in all aspects to receive the Super Eagles.

“From the depth of my heart, I am hoping that your team makes it to the final in Moscow on 15th July, to play against Russia.”

Udovichenko spoke on Tuesday afternoon as he received a delegation from the Nigeria Football Federation, led by its President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

Pinnick thanked the Ambassador for his good wishes, while noting that Nigeria’s first feel of Russian soil ahead of the FIFA World Cup ended in a sweet victory over Argentina in a friendly match in Krasnodar. “We helped you to beat Argentina because they had beaten your team in another friendly a few days earlier.

“We have good relationship with the Russian Football Federation, and we desire to establish good relationship with your embassy here so that ourselves and other Nigerians going to the FIFA World Cup will have no problems with regards to entry visa.”

Pinnick stated that the NFF has come forward this early to parley with the embassy because the football body is keen to have all visa applications treated and dispensed with latest end of April 2018.

Consul of the Embassy, Mr. Diuitri explained that football fans wishing to be at the FIFA World Cup finals in 2018 must have their match tickets and Fan ID, “which will enable them to travel round Russia during the finals at no extra cost.”

Also at the meeting were Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (NFF General Secretary), Ivan Lydkin (attaché), Ademola Olajire (Director of Communications), Tunde Aderibigbe (Head of Protocol), Calistus Ebare (Pinnick’s media aide) and Ayo Olu Ibidapo (NFF Communications Department).

FIFA Sanctions Nigeria For Use Of Ineligible Player Against Algeria

World football –ruling body, FIFA, has rejected Nigeria’s defence on the use of an ineligible player during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Algeria in Constantine on Friday, 10th November 2017, thus awarding the match to Algeria.

However, the sanction does not in any way hurt Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals, as the Super Eagles had picked the ticket from Group B ahead of the clash in Constantine.
The decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee which sat on the matter read, inter alia: “The Nigeria Football Federation is liable for having breached art.55 par.1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and art. 8 of the 2018 Regulations of the FIFA World Cup Russia.

“The match played within the frame of the preliminary competition of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia between Algeria and Nigeria on 10 November 2017 is declared to be lost by forfeit by Nigeria (3-0).” The NFF was also fined the sum of 6,000 Swiss Francs.

The match ended 1-1. Following the decision, Nigeria’s total points tally reduced by just one, to 13, while Algeria moved from 2 to 4 points.

FIFA had hinted the NFF about the disciplinary proceedings, following the use of defender Abdullahi Shehu in the said match. Shehu had received a yellow card in the match against Zambia in Uyo on 7th October 2017 (the match in which victory guaranteed Nigeria a place in Russia), making it a second for him in the qualifying race, following an earlier yellow card against Swaziland in the preliminary round. Traditionally, yellow cards issued in previous rounds of the qualifying race are cancelled going forward, but the principle did not apply for the latest series.

However, a miffed NFF President Pinnick has directed that an internal inquiry be instituted immediately and persons found culpable be dealt with. “We accept the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to fine the NFF and award the match to Algeria.

“However, this is a grave error and somebody must be punished. We apologize to Nigerians for this and assure that this will not in any way derail or even distract us in our well –laid plan to ensure that the Super Eagles have a great outing in Russia.

“At the same time, I want to assure that persons responsible for this slip would not be given just a slap on the wrist. We are actually looking at a re-organization of the Technical Department. The Technical Committee will henceforth play serious superintending role on all details, no matter how minute, in technical matters.

“It is important that all committees and departments at the NFF should move at the same pace as the Executive Committee,” stated Pinnick.

Source: nationalhelm

Russia Will Remain 2018 World Cup Hosts - Sepp Blatter

Suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter has insisted Russia will not lose the right to host the 2018 World Cup.

Russia were awarded the chance to host international football’s biggest competition in 2010, winning the vote ahead of England as well as combined bids from Holland and Belgium and Spain and Portugal.

Earlier this month, Blatter was suspended along with UEFA president Michel Platini by FIFA’s ethics committee for 90 days as investigations continue over their conduct.
There have been suggestions Russia could be stripped of hosting the World Cup, however Blatter has said this will not happen.

This is despite the head of the Serious Fraud Office confirming that it is looking into potential money-laundering offences related to the 2018 bid. It is also investigating the same offence with regards to the 2022 Qatar World Cup bid.

“It’s ruled out,” the 79-year-old said in an interview with Russian news agency TASS. “Russia will not lose the World Cup.”

Blatter shares the stage with Russia president Vladimir Putin (right) at FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifying draw

Blatter claimed in the summer that world football’s governing body had complete trust in Russia holding the competition and met with the country’s president Vladimir Putin prior to the qualification draw for the finals.

Putin confirmed his intention to “do all we can for sportsmen and fans alike to feel at home here”, although his passing of anti-homosexual laws has caused widespread condemnation.

Blatter and Platini are currently appealing the judgement to suspend them from all football related activity, as the worst crisis to engulf FIFA in its 111-year history continues.

The 90-day ban for both men can also be extended by a further 45 days if FIFA’s ethics deems it necessary.

Source: jumpfon

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Eight Candidates To Run For FIFA Presidency But Zico Misses Out

The deadline for FIFA presidential election candidates to declare they are standing has passed with eight contenders to replace Sepp Blatter.

UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino will run for the highest position in world football with the unanimous backing of UEFA’s Executive Committee.

Former Brazilian international Zico will not be in the running though after he was unable to get the letters of support he needed from five member associations. It is understood he only had four.
The 11pm deadline on Monday evening passed without him getting the elusive fifth letter which would have ensured he would be part of the vote on February 26.

A statement from European football’s governing body confirmed Infantino’s candidacy – but that does not mean the end of Michel Platini’s continued participation in the contest to succeed Sepp Blatter.

Platini is currently banned from football, and an investigation into an allegedly “disloyal payment” he received from FIFA remains ongoing, but sources close to the Frenchman say he will “absolutely not withdraw” from the race and has vowed to clear his name.

It now seems likely that if Platini is cleared, he will be UEFA’s candidate and Infantino will drop out of the race. If, however, Platini is not cleared, the expectation is Infantino would stay in.

Infantino said: “I will in due course be setting out my detailed thinking in a manifesto which will address the challenges and opportunities ahead.


UEFA president Michel Platini has previously said he will clear his name and stay in the FIFA race

“It will be based on the need for reform and also for a FIFA that genuinely serves the interests of all 209 national associations, big or small, and that puts football and football development at the top of its agenda.”

A UEFA ExCo statement on Infantino read: “The forthcoming election for a new FIFA president represents a crucial moment‎ in the governance of the game and the future of FIFA itself.

“We believe that Gianni Infantino has all of the qualities required‎ to tackle the major challenges ahead and to lead the organisation on a path of reform to restore FIFA’s integrity and credibility.

“We are delighted that Gianni has agreed to stand and he knows that he has our full support in his campaign to become FIFA president. He is in the process of submitting the required nominations and will issue a statement on his candidacy later today.”

Liberian FA boss Musa Bility and the president of the Asian Football Confederation, Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, also announced their candidacies on Monday.

They join Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Tokyo Sexwale, Jerome Champagne and David Nakhid in the race after they – unlike Zico – were able to obtain five letters of support from FIFA member nations.

A look at the candidates

Sheikh Salman of Bahrain



Sheikh Salman has been the president of the Asian Football Conference since 2013. He backed outgoing president Sepp Blatter at the last election in May. He is the most powerful man in Asian football and chaired the FIFA taskforce that moved the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to winter.

He is a close friend and ally of key IOC and FIFA powerbroker Sheikh Ahmad of Kuwait.

Sheik Salman has denied allegations that, as the head of the Bahrain FA and a member of the royal family, he was involved in a crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in 2011.

Michel Platini



The UEFA president was the favourite for the position until he was questioned by Swiss prosecutors last month about a £1.3m payment he received from Blatter in 2011.

Platini has vowed to stay in the race and clear his name. UEFA have now put up another candidate, Gianni Infantino – who may step aside if Platini is cleared. If Platini fails to clear his name, then Infantino will be UEFA’s candidate.

Gianni Infantino



Infantino is currently the General Secretary of UEFA, a position he has held since October 2009 and is currently also serving as a member of FIFA’s Reform Committee.

A trained lawyer, Infantino joined UEFA in August 2000 as part of their legal team and was appointed Director of UEFA’s Legal Affairs and Club Licensing Division in January 2004.

He was promoted to Deputy General Secretary before becoming General Secretary. He speaks fluent English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.

Prince Ali of Jordan



The Sandhurst graduate and brother of the King of Jordan is the only man who took on Blatter in last May’s election. With the backing of UEFA, he won 73 of the 209 votes, but without that backing this time, he is unlikely to do any better. Ali has lost support in Europe after he turned on Platini, describing him as “the son of Blatter”.

Ali wants FIFA to be truly democratic. He says the World Cup in Qatar will be a wonderful tournament.

Jerome Champagne



Champagne is a former FIFA deputy secretary general who announced on Friday that he would stand. The former French diplomat failed to receive the five letters of support he needed to stand in last May’s election.

Champagne has called for greater transparency at FIFA and wants to cut the number of European teams in World Cups from 2026.

He is also in favour of video technology to help referees and would introduce quotas to encourage more women to work at member associations.

Tokyo Sexwale



South African Sexwale is a diamond magnate who is close to Blatter. He was appointed by Blatter to mediate on football disputes between Palestine and Israel and is also a FIFA anti-racism adviser.

Before making his money, he was an anti-apartheid activist who spent 13 years in prison with Nelson Mandela. Sexwale was on the organising committee of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He was also the host of the South African version of The Apprentice.

David Nakhid



Nakhid is a former Trinidad & Tobago midfielder who now runs a football academy in Beirut.

Caribbean associations have 25 of CONCACAF’s 35 votes in the presidential election.

Nakhid is campaigning on a platform of more transparency and an increased emphasis on football development worldwide.

He also wants to repair the damage done to the reputation of Caribbean football by former CONCACAF president Jack Warner.

Musa Bility



Bility has been the president of the Liberian FA since 2010. He is not afraid of speaking his mind or challenging the African Football Confederation, which has been run since 1988 by Issa Hayatou. Hayatou is the acting president of FIFA.

In the 2011 FIFA presidential election, Bility broke ranks with other African associations by declaring his support for Mohamed Bin Hammam instead of Sepp Blatter.

In 2013, he was given a six month ban for breaking African Football Confederations rules about the use of confidential documents. He denied any wrongdoing and said he had been targeted because he had challenged the confederation leadership.

UEFA’s Secretary General Gianni Infantino Enters FIFA Presidential Race

Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino has entered the Fifa presidential election race – hours before the deadline for candidates.

Infantino joins suspended Uefa boss Michel Platini in the bid to replace outgoing president Sepp Blatter, 79.

Platini maintains he will stand despite Fifa saying it cannot recognise its vice-president’s candidacy while his 90-day ban is in place.

Blatter – who is also banned – will be succeeded at an election in February.
All candidates need the backing of five federations to be put forward for the vote.

Infantino is one of nine candidates to say they will stand, with the deadline for applications set at 00:00 GMT on Tuesday.

“We are delighted that Gianni has agreed to stand and he knows that he has our full support in his campaign to become Fifa president,” European football’s governing body Uefa said in a statement.

“He is in the process of submitting the required nominations and will issue a statement ‎on his candidacy later today.”

To date, South Africa’s Tokyo Sexwale, Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein of Jordan, former Trinidad and Tobago international David Nakhid, former Fifa deputy general secretary Jerome Champagne and Liberia FA president Musa Bility have said they have formally submitted their bids.

Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa is also expected to submit his candidacy before the deadline.

Alongside Sexwale and Bility, a third African candidate – former Nigerian international Segun Odegbami – has also announced his intention to stand.

Fifa has confirmed it will hold the election to determine Blatter’s successor at a special congress on 26 February 2016.

Swiss Blatter and Frenchman Platini, 60, are suspended while Fifa investigates reports that a £1.35m payment was made in 2011 for work Platini did as Blatter’s adviser.

Both men deny any wrongdoing and are appealing against their 90-day bans.

Source: jumpfon

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FIFA Presidency Raise; South African Tokyo Sexwale Declare His Intention

South African businessman and former political prisoner Tokyo Sexwale is to run for the presidency of world soccer’s governing body FIFA, a spokesman said on Saturday as the deadline for nominations neared.

Sexwale is the fifth candidate to declare that he will bid to replace the outgoing Sepp Blatter in the Feb. 26 election.

“He is South Africa’s candidate and we hope he will be all of Africa’s candidate,” spokesman Peter Paul Ngwenya told Reuters.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) said it fully supported Sexwale’s bid.
Prospective candidates must submit their paperwork to FIFA, including nominations from five football associations, by Monday and they then face an integrity check from the organisation’s Ethics group before being cleared to run.

Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, former Trinidad and Tobago midfielder David Nakhid, ex-FIFA official Jerome Champagne and Michel Platini, president of European soccer’s ruling body UEFA, also say they have submitted nominations.

Platini’s chances are slim because he is currently suspended, along with Swiss Blatter, pending an FIFA ethics investigation into a two million Swiss francs ($2.04 million) payment by soccer’s ruling body to the former France midfielder in 2011.

The president of the Asian Football Confederation Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain is also considering a bid and canvassed opinion among Asian federations last week.

FRIEND OF MANDELA

The unusually high number of nominees could lead to a long and complex election with FIFA’s voting system eliminating the candidate with the smallest support after each round of voting.

A close friend of the late former South African president Nelson Mandela, the pair having spent 13 years together at the Robben Island prison, Sexwale was a member of the African National Congress and a post-apartheid government minister before moving into business.

A charismatic figure, he has been involved with FIFA’s Anti-Discrimination Task Force and in talks between the Palestinian and Israeli federations.

The 62-year-old was a founder member of the Makana Football Association, the unofficial soccer organisation for Apartheid-era prisoners on Robben Island.

Sexwale will now look for backing from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) which holds executive committee meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The suspensions of Blatter and Platini earlier this month were the latest twists in FIFA’s worst crisis in its 111-year history.

Swiss authorities are also investigating the decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively while the U.S. Department of Justice has indicted 14 soccer officials and sports marketing executives on a series of corruption charges.

Source: Reuters

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FIFA U-20 Women World Cup Qualifiers: Falconets Beat Basetsana 2-1

 The Nigeria under-20 women football team, the Falconets, beat their South Africa counterpart, Basetsana, 2-1 in the first leg match of the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.

The Falconets scored their first goal of the match in the 27th minute by Kanu Grace wearing jersey no. 11.

Kalu Patience with Jersey no.14 netted the second goal in the 45th minute.

The South Africans, however, scored their first goal through a penalty in the added time by Gabriela Salgado with Jersey 11.

Speaking after the match, Falconets’ Chief Coach Peter Dedevbo said he was not satisfied with the result.
“I am not satisfied with the result and but I am not disappointed; my team would have done better. Though they did their best, I cannot tell what happened.

“The girls are very fit, I don’t have fitness problem with the girls and I hope they will play better in South Africa.

“We are not going to play defensive game in South Africa, we will play attack, this will make them come out and remain in the midfield,’’ he said.

Dedevbo assured Nigerians that `there is no cause for alarm, all is well.

The Head Coach of South Africa, Elizabeth Migchelsen, however, expressed satisfaction with the result and hoped that her team would beat Nigeria in the second leg.

“I am feeling good with the result. We missed our three starts due to injuries and I think we have a chance to beat Nigeria at home with our full team.

Migchelsen said that there was no surprise from the Nigerian team, adding that the team played what was expected.

Source: vanguardngr

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Jerome Champagne Announce His Intention For FIFA Presidential Election Race

Jerome Champagne says he has filed papers to enter the FIFA presidential election.

Champagne, the former FIFA international relations director, told The Associated Press on Friday: “I sent my application letter and eight nomination letters to FIFA on Monday night.”


For a strong, renovated and transparent FIFA to serve football universally –https://t.co/EwgNln48Eo pic.twitter.com/SAgmDRa93e

— Jérôme Champagne (@JChampagne2016) October 23, 2015

The French former diplomat’s manifesto plans to modernise how FIFA is run, cut European places at FIFA and the World Cup, plus trial use of video review to help referees.
Champagne did not get nominated for the previous election, which was won in May by Sepp Blatter, claiming some FAs had “feared reprisals” if they supported him.

He now joins Michel Platini, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein and David Nakhid in meeting Monday’s deadline to enter the Feb. 26 poll. More contenders are expected.

Platini, who helped force Champagne’s FIFA exit in 2010, is unlikely to be accepted as a candidate.

Footballers’ union FIFPro, meanwhile, has published four “vital criteria” it believes the next FIFA president must meet if the game’s governing body is to repair its reputation.

FIFA U17 World Cup Wrap: Nigeria, Mali Keep Flag Shining

The Nigerians are on fire

So far, NIgeria have held the African flag high.
The defending champions sent out a chilling message to their rivals when they crushed host nation Chile 5-1 in their second game of the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

It was easily the Samuel Chukwueze Show after the dimunitive midfielder scored twice and won three penalties for the Golden Eaglets. Top striker Victor Osimhen also bagged a brace, while skipper Kelechi Nwakali recorded his first goal.

Chile grabbed a late consolation through Marcelo Allende and must now find a big win against the USA - who drew 2-2 with Croatia - to qualify for the next round, while the Nigerians became one of two teams through to the knockout stages with a game to spare.

The Eaglets top their group with a maximum six points, four more than second-placed Croatia, while the USA and Chile have a point apiece. 

It was a different story with Guinea however after they lost 1-0 to Korea Republic. A heartbreaking stoppage-time goal did the damage, leaving the Guineans needing to beat Brazil in their final group game to have any chance of advancing.

African champions Mali bounced back from a disappointing opening day draw with Belgium to post another dominant performance that this time earned a 2-1 victory over Ecuador in their second game of the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

Boubacar Traore gave Mali the lead in the ninth minute after profiting from a poor clearance by defender Carlos Pena, and Aly Malle doubled the advantage just after the hour mark when he finished sweetly after receiving a long pass.

Mali were however made to sweat the last 20 minutes after Pervis Estupian halved the advantage from the spot in the 70th minute. However the Eaglets held their nerve to claim all three points and join Belgium at the top of Group D.

Mali coach Baye Ba was delighted with the win which sees his team join Belgium at the top of Group D on four points.

"The key to the win today was our pressing. Ecuador are a very good team and we wanted to put them under pressure from the beginning. That worked well - especially in the first half. That was the basis of our victory," Ba noted after the game.

Ecuador coach Jose Rodriguez also praised the Africans, saying they proved too strong for his team.
"We were really impressed with the power that our opponent showed today. Mali are physically very strong and play extremely quickly. We had no time to react in the right way and had problems to find our own rhythm. We still have the chance to reach the next round. But we have to be better than today. That is possible," Rodriguez stated in his post-match comments.

Mali will play their final group game against Honduras on Saturday.

Another draw

South Africa and the ten men of Korea DPR played out an entertaining 1-1 draw which helped neither side in their quest to progress from Group E. It was to be a share of the spoils for Group E's opening day's defeated sides, leaving them on a point each heading into their final matches.
The Amajimbos stay in Concepcion for their showdown with Russia, while Korea DPR head to Puerto Montt for their pool finale against Costa Rica.

Source: myjoyonline

 

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FIFA Investigating 11 Officials Including Franz Beckenbauer And Head Of Spanish FA

FIFA has confirmed it is investigating 11 of its own officials, including Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini, Franz Beckenbauer and the head of the Spanish FA, Angel Maria Villar Llona.

Blatter and Platini are currently suspended for 90 days over a deferred payment made between them – a judgement they are appealing – while secretary general Jerome Valcke has also been banned on suspicion of misuse of expenses.

But two new names have now been thrust into the spotlight – the Germany legend Beckenbauer and Spain’s football head Villar – who both refused to co-operate with the investigations into the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Beckenbauer, 68, was on the executive committee which awarded the 2022 finals to Qatar but claimed last year that FIFA’s chief investigator Michael J Garcia had “no power whatsoever” to make him comply to his probe into the controversial 2010 decision.

Beckenbauer also headed the organising committee for the 2006 World Cup in Germany and was forced to reject allegations in his home country on Sunday that a slush fund was set up to buy the votes to host the tournament.

Villar, who has been head of the Spanish FA since 1988, is the second-most powerful man at UEFA behind Platini and replaced the Frenchman on Tuesday as interim chairman of the 2018 World Cup organising committee.

Villa also led the unsuccessful joint-bid between Spain and Portugal to host the World Cup in 2018, which was given to Russia.

A statement on Wednesday confirmed that “proceedings relating to the two officials Angel María Villar Llona and Franz Beckenbauer have already been passed on to the adjudicatory chamber”.

Beckenbauer and Villar Llona had not been publicly named before as under investigation but a change in the ruling on Tuesday means FIFA’s ethics committee can now reveal details of cases that are ongoing.

Angel Maria Villar Llona embraces FIFA president Sepp Blatter (left)

FIFA also confirmed that “formal investigation proceedings relating to the suspicion of infringements of the FIFA Code of Ethics are among others ongoing against Worawi Makudi, Jeffrey Webb, Ricardo Teixeira, Amos Adamu, Eugenio Figueredo and Nicolas Leoz”.

All six are former FIFA executive committee members, and Makundi, Webb, Figueredo and Leoz were arrested on corruption allegations in June this year.

Teixeira was the former head of the Brazilian FA until 2012 and was also indicted by the FBI on corruption allegations in June, while Adamu was banned for three years by FIFA in 2010 after being found guilty of breaching bribery rules.

FIFA is embroiled in the worst crisis of its 111-year history

The ethics committee statement on Wednesday said: “The investigatory chamber shall examine all circumstances of the cases equally. In this sense, all parties are presumed innocent until a decision has been passed by the adjudicatory chamber.”

In relation to the on-going investigation into the £1.35m payment made by Blatter to Platini in 2011, the statement said: “The investigatory chamber will do everything in its power to ensure that a decision can be taken by the adjudicatory chamber of the ethics committee, chaired by Hans-Joachim Eckert, within the 90-day suspension period [which began on 8 October 2015] of the two football officials.”

Nigerian Amos Adamu also being investigated

Nigerian Amos Adamu is under investigation by Fifa’s ethics committee, it revealed on Wednesday.

Adamu is alleged to have breached Fifa’s code of ethics but world football’s governing body did not provide any more details.

The 62-year-old was a member of Fifa’s executive committee for four years until 2010, when he was banned from all football activity for three years.

He was banned over claims he asked for money in exchange for World Cup votes.

Adamu’s suspension expired in October 2013.

He was was a high-ranking government official for Nigerian sport for 20 years and was once considered to be a leading candidate to succeed long-serving Issa Hayatou as president of the Confederation of African Football.

Source: news.jumfon

Uefa president Platini, a former France captain and manager, is being investigated over a £1.35m

The Football Association says it is suspending support for Michel Platini in his bid to become Fifa president.

Uefa president Platini, a former France captain and manager, is being investigated over a £1.35m payment he received from Sepp Blatter in 2011.

Blatter, the outgoing president of world football’s governing body, is under criminal investigation over the payment. Both men deny any wrongdoing.



The FA made its decision following a Uefa meeting on Thursday.

Blatter and Platini, along with secretary general Jerome Valcke, are serving 90-day suspensions imposed by Fifa’s ethics committee, which is investigating the three over corruption allegations.

An FA statement read:

“The FA wishes Mr Platini every success in fighting these charges and clearing his name, and has no interest in taking any action that jeopardises this process.

“However, notwithstanding the above, at the Uefa meeting on Thursday, the FA learned more information relating to the issues at the centre of this case from Mr Platini’s lawyers.

“We have been instructed that the information must be kept confidential and therefore we cannot go into specifics.

“As a result of learning this information, the FA Board has this morning concluded that it must suspend its support for Mr Platini’s candidature for the Fifa presidency until the legal process has been concluded and the position is clear.

“A decision can then be taken on who to support in the presidential election on 26 February 2016.”

Platini says the money was an unpaid additional salary due from the time he served as Blatter’s adviser between 1998 and 2002.

Uefa’s 54 members met in Switzerland to discuss the issue and afterwards the association issued a statement saying Platini should have the chance “to clear his name”.

It also called for investigators to “work rapidly” and decide “on the merits of the case by, at the latest, mid-November 2015”.

The FA said it supported this statement, which also “expressed respect for the significant work” carried out by Platini at Uefa.

Meanwhile, a new contender has emerged in the race to lead Fifa – Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.

The Bahrain sheikh is expected to announce next week that he intends to run for the Fifa presidency.