NFF denies mismanaging FIFA grant

The Nigeria Football Federation has denied that it diverted $802, 000 grant received from the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) after Nigeria’s sports minister Solomon Dalung called for a ‘reputable audit’ of the federation’s books.

Dalung claimed FIFA had suspended giving development grants to Nigeria over financial irregularities.

“According to the report, FIFA has withheld all development funds to Nigeria for lack of proper documentation of $802,000 out of the funds released to NFF,” Dalung told NFF’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

“This is a very serious issue that must be given urgent attention to avoid another international embarrassment, more so that the present administration under the leadership of Mr President Muhammadu Buhari has zero tolerance for any act of misappropriation, misapplication, embezzlement or fraud in any guise.”

But the federation insisted its accounts have already been audited and there were no discrepancies. It also claimed the minister submitted was misinformed about the activities of NFF’s board.

“The audited account of the Federation for the year, as audited by Pricewaterhouse Coopers, an internationally reputable audit firm, was presented and adopted at the General Assembly,” NFF said in a communique issued after its general assembly on Sunday.