World football’s governing body FIFA said yesterday that it would investigate allegations that two of its Executive Committee members, including Nigeria’s Dr. Amos Adamu, offered to sell their votes in the contest to host the 2018 World Cup.
It said it has decided to look into the matter and that a preliminary report would determine what steps to take.  “FIFA will immediately analyse the material available and only once this analysis has concluded will FIFA be able to decide on any potential next steps,” it said in a statement issued yesterday.

 

However, both Mr. Amos Adamu and Reynald Temari were reported yesterday to have denied the British newspaper’s allegations, although no details were provided.

FIFA’s announcement of a probe came on the day that Mr. Amos Adamu, the Nigerian FIFA executive committee member hit newspaper headlines across the world following allegations that he was caught on video tape trying to sell his World Cup vote for half a million British pounds (about N122.5 million).

The British Sunday Times claims that is caught Mr. Adamu on film agreeing to sell his vote for £500,000 – demanding an upfront payment of £250,000 – to back the United States’ bid to host 2018 World Cup.

The United States is now bidding to host the 2022 World Cup, but at the time of the alleged recording, it was still bidding for the 2018 World Cup, the paper said.

Adamu, who is President of the West African Football Union, is currently serving as executive member of the FIFA with a voting right to select which country will host the World Cup in 2018. Britain is among the countries vying to host it.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague demanded an immediate investigation, and FIFA officials yesterday said they would launch one after receiving the tapes from the Sunday Times.

“During our investigation Amos Adamu, member of the (FIFA executive) committee, was filmed negotiating a deal for his vote in which he would receive £500,000, half to be paid upfront,” the paper says in its front page lead story.

The paper alleges that he agreed to sell the vote to its investigative reporters posing as US businessmen after they approached him. It also says Adamu “wanted the money to be paid personally to him”, quoting him as guaranteeing his vote and saying: “Certainly if you are to invest that, that means you also want the vote.”

Since Saturday night, electronic news media in Britain and across the world have been awash with the leaked Sunday Times report, featuring the alleged video film with Adamu’s picture and voice as well as the blurred pictures of the investigators during the alleged negotiation.

The paper also claims that another member of the FIFA executive committee, Tahiti’s President of the Oceania Football Confederation Reynald Temarii, was recorded asking for £1.5 million to establish a sports academy in return for his vote.

British Foreign Secretary Hague said, “These are serious allegations.” He said FIFA should ensure that it does its work in “a way that is ethically correct”.

FIFA will decide in Zurich, Switzerland on Dec. 2 which countries will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments. The choices will be made by its 24-member executive committee.

England and Russia are bidding for the 2018 finals along with joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Netherlands. The candidates for 2022 are the United States, Japan, South Korea, Qatar and Australia.

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MTNFootball.com's Nigeria expert Samm Audu says in his latest Eagles Nest column that it is highly likely that FIFA will reinstate their international ban on the country once the deadline of October 25 comes and goes.

Audu gives a fascinating account of the ins and outs of the situation, from the power struggles to the death threats and the work of the spin doctors.

“It has been hoped that the group, National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF), would have withdrawn the law suit they instituted against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) a day earlier,” Audu states.

“NANF publicly announced they will withdraw the case after meeting with FIFA executive Amos Adamu, but appear now to be having second thoughts about an out-of-court settlement.

“For one half of this power play, pulling the plug on this case would bring to reality their most dreaded nightmare – the re-instatement of the Aminu Maigari board and the inevitable ouster of Davidson Owumi as chairman of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL).”

Fifa has suspended Nigeria from international competition because of government interference in the sport.

Fifa rules prohibit any government intervention with its members.

The decision was taken on Monday after several members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) were hauled before the law courts.

"The Fifa Emergency Committee decided today...to suspend the NFF with immediate effect on account of government interference," Fifa said.

Plans of naming a substantive coach for the Super Eagles on or before an earlier set deadline of October 1, 2010 is no longer feasible, the acting head of the Nigeria Football Federation Musa Ahmadu has said.

“In all honesty, I do not see us having a coach that will be contracted on a long term basis before the earlier set target of October 1st 2010 giving the circumstances surrounding the elections; the decision taken by the court to annul it and all that,” he said.

Ahmadu, who is currently in charge of affairs at the NFF however revealed that the football house will be relying on stand-in coach, Augustine Eguaveon to lead the Eagles when they take on the Syli Stars of Guinea on October 10 - in their second game of the ongoing Africa Nations Cup qualifiers in Conakry.

“The problems notwithstanding, the preparation for the second game against Guinea in Conakry will go on as we will be talking to the interim coach to see if the previous arrangement that we have on ground can still go on and I am sure as a matured person he would look at it and oblige us,” he said.

Orphaned Eagles

The Super Eagles have been without a coach since the departure of Swede, Lars Lagerback who did not return to his duty post after the disappointing outing at the South Africa 2010 World Cup.

The previous board of the NFF had earlier held negotiations with Heartland Coach Samson Siasia and looked set to name the Beijing Olympics Silver winning coach as manager of the Eagles before disagreements over wages put the deal on hold.

While Siasia requested for a $100,000 monthly salary and a signing-on fee, the NFF offered him a monthly salary of $20,000. The situation however took another dimension as the now suspended board announced that will advertise the Super Eagles coaching post rather than stick with Siasia.

Lawal’s advice

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles player Garba Lawal has advised that the NFF should be proactive in resolving the appointment of a coach for the team . According to Lawal, a prompt decision will go a long way in keeping the team focused as they seek qualification for the 2012 Nations Cup to be jointly hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

“Sincerely I am not happy when we waste so much time in naming coaches for our teams, it was the same attitude that affected our game at the World Cup where we only named a coach just three four months to the World cup. I just hope they can make up their mind to pick someone on time,” he said.

Nigeria is currently behind Guinea in the standings as it only managed a 2-0 victory over Madagascar while Guinea secured a 4-1 victory over Ethiopia in Addis Ababa

Nigeria football officials have announced that they will advertise the position for coach of the Super Eagles and make an appointment on October 1.

Previously, the NFF had been in discussions with former Olympic team coach Samson Siasia, but executive committee member Chris Greene told reporters after a meeting on Thursday that the board had resolved to advertise the position.

Siasia's negotiations with the former board stalled on his personal terms, which included a $100 000 monthly wage and $1 million sign-on fee.

Authoritative sources told KickOffNigeria.com that an agreement had been reached in principle for monthly wages of $60 000, and no sign-on fee, subject to board approval.

The current development will now allow the likes of stand-in coach Austin Eguavoen, and former captain Stephen Keshi to throw their hats in the ring.

The NFF also suspended the scheduled kick-off of the Nigeria Premier League on September, to allow the resolution of outstanding issues.

These include the disputed elections into the league board and relegation of clubs from the Premier League.

Bayelsa United chairman Rumson Baribote has challenged the election of Davidson Owumi.

SAMSON Siasia will be confirmed as Nigeria’s coach on September 1, just four days before the country host Madagascar in an African Nations Cup qualifier.

Dominic Iorfa, who heads the NFF's Technical Committee responsible for hiring coaches, told KickOffNigeria.com that an agreement had been reached in principle with the former international.

"Siasia will be officially confirmed on September 1 as the coach of the Super Eagles," Iorfa, himself a former international, said "He and I have talked and we have agreed in principle. But there are still some other matters to sort out."

Iorfa would not confirm if Siasia would be in charge for the Madagascar game four days later, but says the Technical Committee had to announce a list of players for the game to allow time to get invited players in.

The uncertainties surrounding the naming of a new Super Eagles coach may finally be resolved today as the Nigeria Football Federation is set to conclude its negotiations with Samson Siasia, the man widely tipped for the job.

The lawyers representing the Beijing Olympic silver winning coach had hinted that they are confident the deal for the former Nigeria international to take over the Eagles will be sealed today.

Ijere Austin, Siasia’s lead lawyer had told MTNFootball that he is hopeful a deal will be concluded today when they again meet with top officials of the football federation.

“Samson is desperate to satisfy the yearnings of Nigerians who love him so much and have been clamouring for him to get the job. So, he is ready to finalise discussions with the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday,” said Austin.

Siasia, who just returned from Egypt where his team, Heartland FC was defeated 1-0 in its CAF Champions League match with Isamily FC, has been locked in a battle with the NFF over what he is to be paid if chosen as the coach of the Eagles.

Debate over salary

Many have questioned the necessity of a debate over salaries for the coaching team, when the last coach, Lars Lagerback was paid in excess of £150,000 (N22.5 million) and the new coach is being advised to collect N5 million.

However, Austin revealed that Siasia has been advised to lower his demands in order to sign a deal today. “We have discussed and he has agreed to lower his demands. This we hope will convince the NFF when we meet again on Tuesday. Although I won’t be able to give you details now until we finish our discussions.”

Ajibade Babalade, a former international criticised the development.

“We never appreciate our own. What did Lagerback do that Siasia cannot? We should try and give our own the kind of contracts that we offer these ‘Oyibos’ (foreigners) and let us see whether they will not perform better. I hope they just stop all this market mentality and give him the job so that he can start working.” Austin though concluded that: “We also believe his (Siasia’s) contract will be improved upon after he has impressed on the job,” but that was not the criteria with which Lagerback was hired.

Past and present Nigerian footballers have endorsed the aspirations of 1980 Nations Cup winner, Segun Odegbami, who is gunning for the topmost job of Nigerian football, when elections into the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), hold August 21 in Abuja.

Rising from a one-day meeting held yesterday at the Media Centre of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, the majority of former players who distinguished themselves when they served the country at various times, also endorsed the political ambitions of former Green Eagles captains, Christian Chukwu and Austin Okocha, former midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju. The trio just want to be on the board of the FA.

Spearheading the move to see some of their own get onto the NFA, Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medal winner, Victor Ikpeba, said that Nigerian footballers have decided to take their destiny in their own hands because of the absence of sound leadership at the top level, which in turn, has affected the quality of performance churned out at various competitions by the different national teams.

“Real change comes when the proper leadership is provided by those running the NFA. As the main actors of the game, we are the ones affected if things go wrong and we can no longer sit back to allow our game suffer at the hands of politicians who do not understand the feelings and dynamics of the game.

“Nigerian players have become perpetual victims of poor administration and as ones who have paid our dues and sacrificed for the sake of the country, the time has come for change at the NFA.

We shall no longer fold our hands and allow the NFA to be taken over by politicians. Players have taken a decision to back Segun Odegbami for the presidential position, Christian Chukwu, Mutiu Adepoju and Austin Okocha as board members into the next board of the FA”, added the former Monaco of France winger.

Also speaking, USA 1994 World Cup goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, said that he foresees a transformation of Nigerian football in the future if former players succeed in getting elected into the next NFA board.

“We need people with insights, individuals who can brainstorm and come up with endless opportunities for our youths. We need persons who have the administrative and technical acumen to be on the board and if the likes of Odegbami scale the hurdle, then hope is on the way”, said Rufai.

The likes of Adepoju, Peter Fregene, Wasiu Ipaye, Tarila Okorowanta, Tajudeen Disu, Waidi Akanni also spoke on the need for delegates at the NFA elections to vote for former players.

On his part, the man who is eyeing the exalted NFA post, Segun Odegbami, said the idea to throw his hat into the race first came to him about eight months ago and promised that he would not be fazed out by political intrigues to give up his dream of rescuing football from the claws of political sharks.

“I am going to fight to the very end to ensure that we have a true and credible elections for the good and growth of our youths and the game”, said Odegbami.

Nigeria could be banned by FIFA due to government interference in the running of football in the country.

In a letter to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) signed by FIFA general-secretary, Jerome Valcke, the football governing body warned that Nigeria would be sanctioned if there is any evidence of government interference in the running of football in the country.

The National Sports Commission (NSC), which is headed by sports minister Ibrahim Bio, had before the World Cup ordered the NFF to suspend all electoral processes, but the NFF insisted on proceeding with a time-table for the polls.

The NFF went ahead to inform FIFA of this direct interference by government in the running of football in Nigeria and the world football governing body has in turn warned that the country risk a ban should such meddling continue.

Earlier in the week, FIFA president Sepp Blatter rejected a request by Ibrahim Bio to stop elections to the executive committee of the NFF which have been scheduled for August 21 in Lagos.

NFF president Sani Lulu, a civil servant, is seeking re-election, along with most of the current executive.

According to a statement signed by NFF spokesman, Ademola Olajire, Blatter also used that meeting to reiterate confidence in the leadership of the NFF, which according to him has recorded several achievements on and off the pitch since 2006 when the current board assumed office.

Questions are now been asked about the 1.9 billion naira (about $120 million) generated by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) for Nigeria's World Cup campaign after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) claimed they have only received about 300 million thus far from the special committee.

The PTF, headed by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, were established by late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to assist the NFF ensure the Super Eagles qualify and do well at the 2010 World Cup.

The PTF will then organise a fund-raising dinner in Abuja, where they realised about 1.9 million naira from state governments, companies and individuals.

However, MTNFootball.com has since gathered that NFF have thus far only received about 300 million naira from the PTF in respect of the World Cup with questions being asked about what has become of the balance of this fund.

"The PTF got about 1.9 billion naira in respect of the Eagles 2010 World Cup campaign, but we have so far only received around 300 million naira of that amount," a top NFF official told MTNFootball.com.

A breakdown of this sum shows that the PTF paid the NFF 77 million naira as their own 50% contribution towards the Eagles match bonuses for three World Cup qualifiers against Kenya (in Nairobi), Mozambique (in Abuja) and Tunisia (in Abuja).

The PTF also paid the salaries of coach Lars Lagerback for his five-month contract, which came to over 200 million naira.

NFF officials told MTNFootball.com that they are yet to receive 200 million from the PTF being their own 50% contribution for the match bonuses of the Eagles at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

The NFF had to source for this sum at Angola 2010 so as to avoid a major pay row with the Eagles.

The PTF, whose membership included former internationals Segun Odegbami and Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha, are expected to wind up their operations soon after their tenure was extended from after the qualifiers in November to after the tournament proper.