NFF Reforms: FIFA Delegation 'Cannot' Decide on Normalization Committee

Head of the Member Association Governance and leader of the FIFA delegation to Nigeria, Rolf Tanner has said the group will continue its work and hope to make progress in the country’s football.

The Nigeria Football Federation witnessed a massive resignation in August which ended the tenure of embattled President Ibrahim Gusau and General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

As part of the delegation's mission, they will recommend to FIFA the establishment of a Normalization Committee.

It will be constituted to govern the NFF's affairs for a specified term before an elective congress convenes to usher in a fresh dispensation.

The FIFA delegation wrapped up its two-day working visit and Tanner insists that in this current situation, collaborative efforts will be needed.

He stressed that the delegation's mandate did not include taking a decision, but to look at all sides of the matter on ground.

Tanner noted that there is a need for collaboration with all the stakeholders, including the government and the NFF.

'Let's see how much interest there is in the current situation. People are trying to look at solutions,' the FIFA delegate said. 'I think in these situations, the important element is that we work together, that we collaborate, that the governments can collaborate with stakeholders.'

'We can also have that relationship, open dialogue with the governments, the NFF, the stakeholders.

'That's precisely the purpose of the mission. It's more an assessment and analysis of the situation.'

'You can only come to any conclusion if you've spoken, if you've heard everyone, the governments, the NFF, the stakeholders.

'I think you said already everything that needs to be said. We are not here to take decisions. I'd like also to reiterate this. We are not decision-makers.

'What we are is a voice of NFF to take back the outcome of those discussions, to be able to get the right picture of what's going on in Nigeria.'

The events were preceded by a now botched NFF Elective Congress which was scheduled to hold on September 27.