Admin l Wednesday, March 01, 2017
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigeria Football Federation today issued the second Integrity Initiative Circular, which relates principally to what match officials must observe henceforth to preserve integrity in the organization of football matches within Nigeria.
The circular, addressed to Members of the NFF Executive Committee, Chairman of LMC, Chairmen of the NNL, NWFL and NLO, Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Chairman of the NFF Match Commissioners Appointment Committee, Football Associations of the 36 States and the FCT and All Members of the NFF, read:
“As part of the on-going Integrity Initiative Strategy Guideline implementation, the Integrity Unit has identified further areas that calls for review in order to ensure that there is no ambiguity in the conduct of all activities relating to the organisation of football matches within the territory of Nigeria.
“In view of the need to further create an enabling environment devoid of rancour and misrepresentation of interests, the Nigeria Football Federation Integrity Unit is hereby calling for the implementation of the following:
1. That henceforth, all match officials are to report to the State Football Association on arrival to a given State for their assignment. No match official is allowed to report to any Club management on arrival for his/her assignment in a given state.
2. All State Football Associations are hereby advised to report to the National Integrity Officer any appointed match official that fails to report to the State Football Association Secretariat on arrival to a given state for his/her match. Such match official(s) shall be referred to the NFF Ethics Committee for commencement of proceedings upon receipt of the formal report.
3. All Leagues are hereby advised to present the list of approved hotels to be used by Match Officials to the respective State Football Association as it is the duty of the State Football Association to coordinate the accommodation of Match Officials along with the League and not Football Clubs
4. All Football Officials are strongly advised to read up and acquaint themselves with the NFF Code of Ethics, CAF Code of Ethics and FIFA Code of Ethics/Disciplinary Codes. They are all available on their respective websites namely:(www.thenff.com; www.cafonline.com; www.fifa.com)
5. All State Football Associations are strongly advised to ensure that all football clubs domiciled in their State are registered under the State Football Association wherein they are domiciled.
6. No Official shall be allowed to occupy dual position as a Coach and also as an Administrator i.e as either a State Football Coach and member of State FA or as a Coach and Chairman of a Football Club, hence those affected are advised to choose one on or before 2nd May 2017.
7. All Serving Referees that are occupying State Football Association positions either as Board Member, Secretary of State FA or Chairman are to choose to remain with one of the two Official duties on or before 2nd May 2017.
8. The Nigeria Football Federation shall not hesitate to sanction any official that fails to comply with the above directives.
