FIFA petitioned over alleged match-fixing in Nigeria

By Olu Dare

The Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) has implored FIFA to take action over alleged match-fixing in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Reports have it that champions were determined by the highest bidding team.

In a letter addressed to the football ruling body, PFAN stated that its petition was as a result of an ‘open confession vide the communiqué’ released by the Club Owners Association of Nigeria in which it categorically stated that the past six years of the NPFL was characterised by match-fixing.

It read: “Match-fixing is capable of destroying the fabrics of football, which is a national asset to Nigerians. This confessional statement of fact on match-fixing is a reinforcement of an earlier letter by the so-called Association of Club Owners sent to the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development of Nigeria on September 1, 2022, after a courtesy visit to him.

“The PFAN Task Force demands a quick and thorough investigation into this statement that has brought professional football in Nigeria to total disrepute and bring those involved to book.

“The principal officers of the so-called Club Owners Association of Nigeria and Management of the out-gone League Management Company (LMC) for their inglorious acts of aiding and concealment have a case to answer and your urgent intervention is sacrosanct.

“If no action is taken within 21 days of your receipt of this letter, the PFAN Task Force will resort to invite the various financial crime agencies in Nigeria to investigate this opprobrium.

“We rely on your desire to eliminate match-fixing in football worldwide.”