NFF vice president Felix Anyansi threatens legal action against fake news perpetrators

By Saheed Afolabi

First vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chief Felix Anyasi-Agwu has threatened to take legal action against some mischievous online blogs that want to tarnish his image.

The Abia state-born football administrator was quoted by some sections of the media over disowning Nigeria’s hosting bid along with Benin Republic for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations a few weeks back.

 In his reaction, the Enyimba chairman refuted the claims, noting that the article was built on falsehood and mischief while denying ever granting such an interview on the subject.

“My attention has been drawn to a malicious publication on an online blog, with the misleading title, NFF Denies Joint AFCON2025 Bid With the Republic Of Benin, in which I was quoted to allude to being unaware of Nigeria’s bid for the hosting rights of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations,” Anyansi told media.

“Clearly, the entire article is built on falsehood and mischief as I have never granted an interview to any media outlet on the subject. It is therefore shocking that the writer, in a flagrant disregard for the ethics of journalism, could so falsely attribute such a quote to me.

“Sadly, this is not the first of such calumny as there have been previous publications in other online platforms suggesting that there exists division within the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation.

“While I have always maintained a cordial relationship with members of the press and have consistently stood firmly for progressive and ethical journalism, it is most condemnable that some persons have rather chosen the untoward path of using their platforms to malign and create unnecessary tension.

“Consequently, I wish to sound a warning to perpetrators of such practices to desist as I will not hesitate to take appropriate legal actions against writers/editors who deploy their platforms for the spread of false and malicious content aimed at smearing my reputation and straining my professional relationships.”