The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has placed Nigeria, South Africa, and six other African nations under its disciplinary spotlight over various breaches of football regulations.
In a statement released from its headquarters in Zurich, FIFA disclosed that the countries risk sanctions ranging from fines to temporary suspensions if corrective measures are not urgently taken.
The global football body listed the issues to include government interference in football administration, delays in league reforms, outstanding contractual disputes, and lapses in stadium safety standards.
Nigeria was flagged over unresolved governance issues within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), particularly disputes linked to election processes and financial accountability. FIFA warned that continued interference from external bodies could attract sanctions that may affect Nigeria’s participation in upcoming qualifiers.
South Africa, on its part, was cited for crowd control lapses and inadequate security provisions during recent international matches hosted in Johannesburg. FIFA stressed that stadium safety remains a top priority and insisted that corrective measures must be implemented before the next round of qualifiers.
Other countries named in the report include Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Zambia, DR Congo, and Morocco, each facing varying levels of scrutiny for either administrative lapses, contractual irregularities, or fan violence incidents.
A FIFA spokesperson noted: “We value Africa’s immense contribution to global football, but adherence to our statutes and international best practices is non-negotiable. Each federation has been given specific timelines to rectify the highlighted concerns.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has also pledged to support the affected countries in resolving the issues to avoid wider repercussions.
Reactions from fans have been mixed. While some Nigerians expressed worry that sanctions could disrupt the Super Eagles’ preparation for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, others believe FIFA’s intervention may force much-needed reforms in the local football system.
As the deadline for compliance approaches, all eyes remain on the affected federations to address FIFA’s concerns and safeguard their participation in international football.
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