The Nigeria Football Federation has warned its members and officials that CAF and FIFA will be monitoring Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) games in the forthcoming season as both football bodies look to curb match-fixing and manipulation in football.
Thehead of NFF Integrity Unit, Barrister Okey Obi advised thatthe nation’s football body wouldnot entertain acts and practices capable of bringing the game into disrepute as FIFA and CAF are watching.
However he threatened that the heaviest sanctions will be meted out at offenders.
“The eyes of FIFA and CAF are now very, very sharp with regards to match-fixing and match manipulation matters. Apart from that, the various security agencies in the land are now taking keen interest in what happens during football matches, a development the NFF is happy about.
“The NFF Integrity Unit is now working in conjunction with the security agencies to monitor all matches. It will no longer be business as usual. Members of NFF especially match officials are warned against going to match venues to front for teams.
“It is important that NFF members, including Members of Congress, stakeholders, referees, match commissioners and referee assessors, and indeed everyone involved in the game, to resist and report all acts that may seek to compromise the integrity of a game.”
The 2019/2020 NPFL season is billed to commence this Sunday, November 3rd.
COMMENTS