Governing Bodies

FLASHBACK: FIFA FINES NIGERIA FOR WITHDRAWAL FROM WORLD CUP

Published

6 years ago

July 20, 2020

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

On this date, 20 July 1965, the World football governing body, FIFA slammed a 5,000 Swiss Francs on Nigeria for a sudden withdrawal from the 1966 World Cup which finals took place in England.

In the preliminary competition, Nigeria along with 14 other African teams entered. At the time, both Africa and Asia had one joint slot at the World Cup. The winner of the continental series in Africa was to face that of Asia to be able to qualify for the final tournament.

While Africa had 15 entries, Asia had just two who were to contest with Australia from Oceania and South Africa, which opted for the zone on political ground.

FIFA reasoned that the half allocation to both Asia and Africa was occasioned by the fact that the two continents did not have teams that qualified for Sweden 1958 and Chile 1962.

***Letter written to the NFA after withdrawal from 1966 World Cup***

The 15 teams in Africa were divided into six groups of either two or three teams.

Nigeria was grouped with Libya and United Arab Republic (Egypt/Syria) in Group 6.

The six group winners were to move into round two with the following pairings: Group 1 to face Group 5 while Group 2 winners were to face that of Group 4.

The Nigeria’s group winner was to face the eventual champion of Group 3, which had Algeria, Liberia and Tunisia.

But the matches did not hold in Africa following a mass boycott. First to withdraw on 17 August 1964 were Morocco and Ethiopia.

Then on 21 September 1964, the quartet of Guinea, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia joined. On 8 October 1964, South Africa, based on protest to FIFA by Egypt (then UAR), was also thrown out.

It was on that day that Nigeria and all the remaining African countries announced their withdrawal from participating in the World Cup 1966 qualifiers.

Also, Syria, which had pulled out of an earlier political union of UAR withdrew from Europe Group 9 where it was to compete.

Asia’s four teams had their fair share of controversy too.

The league-styled games were to be played on a neutral ground, Japan.

South Africa was banned by FIFA on account of apartheid policy.

That left three teams to contest. South Korea also withdrew when the tournament was moved from Japan to Cambodia.

On account of North Korea not having diplomatic relationship with most Asian countries, it was difficult finding a suitable country to host the tournament until North Korean leader, Kim II-Sung convinced his Cambodian ally to host the matches.

That left only Australia and North Korea to play in duels easily won by North Korea.

For the final round, North Korea were to play the three final group winners from Africa on home and away basis with the winning side of the quartet qualifying for England ’66.

Because of the withdrawal of the African teams, North Korea qualified automatically.

FIFA, in its reaction to the boycotts, fined the boycotting countries including Nigeria.

In the letter sent to Nigeria and dated 20 July 1965, FIFA stated that Nigeria breached the competition’s regulations by withdrawing after the preliminary competition had started.

The NFA was given a deadline of 31 December 1965 to pay the fine.

Governing Bodies

South America’s CONMEBOL backs FIFA President Infantino for fourth term

Published

20 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Kunle Solaja

South American football’s governing body (CONMEBOL) gave Gianni Infantino its backing on Thursday, should he decide to run for reelection as FIFA ‌president for a fourth term.

While Infantino has yet to confirm whether he will run for the 2027–2031 term, CONMEBOL’s council said in a statement that it “unanimously expressed its support” for the 56-year-old’s ⁠leadership ahead of a potential bid.

“President Gianni Infantino, thank you for your continued commitment to the development of South American football and for the leadership exercised at a global level,” CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez said.

“We deeply value your closeness to our region and your vision to continue growing the game worldwide.”

CONMEBOL ‌is ⁠the first federation to express support for Infantino’s re-election.

The Swiss took office in 2016, taking over from Sepp Blatter, and was re-elected unopposed in 2019 and again ⁠in 2023.

Infantino has pushed for the expansion of FIFA competitions during his tenure, with this year’s World Cup in ⁠North America the first to feature 48 teams, while the women’s tournament in 2023 expanded to ⁠32 teams.

Infantino’s tenure has also drawn some criticism over issues such as governance and calendar congestion.

-Reuters

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Governing Bodies

FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings over Islamophobic chants in Spain-Egypt match

Published

3 days ago

April 8, 2026

Kunle Solaja

A big screen displays a anti discrimination message inside the stadium during the match REUTERS/Albert Gea

FIFA has started disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) over Islamophobic and xenophobic chants during a ‌friendly between Spain and Egypt on March 31, the global soccer body said on Tuesday.

At the RCDE Stadium near Barcelona, the home ground of LaLiga ⁠club Espanyol, Spanish supporters chanted “who doesn’t jump is a Muslim” during the World Cup warm-up match, which ended in a goalless draw.

“FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings today against the Spanish FA for the incidents in the friendly against Egypt,” FIFA said ‌in ⁠a statement.

Spanish police launched an investigation into the chants last week.

Spain winger Lamine Yamal condemned the chants as disrespectful and intolerable in an ⁠Instagram post.

The Egyptian Football Association also condemned the chants as an entirely unacceptable “repugnant act of ⁠racism,” and added that the acts of a small group of spectators would ⁠not affect the close relations between the Spanish and Egyptian federations.

-Reuters

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Governing Bodies

Adamu Targets Lasting Legacy as CAF Acting General Secretary

Published

3 days ago

April 7, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Samson Adamu (right0 in his inaugural appearance as the acting General Secretary of CAF.

The newly appointed Acting General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football, Samson Adamu, has declared his ambition to leave a lasting legacy as he assumes one of the most influential administrative roles in African football.

Adamu was named to the position on Sunday, March 29, 2026, during a CAF Executive Committee meeting held at the Giza Palace Hotel in Cairo. His appointment, proposed by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, received unanimous ratification from the committee.

Speaking shortly after his elevation, Adamu expressed both gratitude and determination. “I am elated by this appointment. I am determined to serve African football with humility, integrity, and professionalism,” he said.

His emergence is historic, as he becomes the first Nigerian—and indeed the first West African—to occupy the position in the 69-year history of CAF, a development widely seen as a significant milestone for the region’s growing influence within continental football governance.

Adamu’s journey to the summit of African football administration reflects a career shaped by innovation, passion, and administrative excellence. Fifteen years ago, he initiated the globally acclaimed COPA Lagos Beach Soccer tournament in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos. The event attracted top teams from around the world and set new benchmarks in organisation, marketing, officiating, and fan engagement.

The success of COPA Lagos played a pivotal role in Nigeria earning the hosting rights for the 2016 CAF Beach Soccer Cup of Nations, further cementing Adamu’s reputation as a forward-thinking sports administrator.

He later joined CAF in Cairo, rising through the ranks from Director of Competitions to Director of Tournaments and Events, positions in which he oversaw the planning and execution of several major continental championships.

Adamu also carries a rich administrative lineage. He is the son of Amos Adamu, a towering figure in Nigerian and international sports administration. Dr Adamu served as sole administrator of the then Nigeria Football Association in the early 1990s and later as Director of Sports Development in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports.

He was also a central figure in Nigeria’s hosting of the 8th All-Africa Games in 2003, after securing a seat on the CAF Executive Committee in 2002 in Bamako, Mali, and earning re-election during the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia. His influence extended globally when he was elected into the FIFA Executive Committee in 2006, alongside serving as Director General of the National Sports Commission.

With such a formidable background and personal track record, expectations are high that Samson Adamu will bring fresh ideas, administrative stability, and a renewed sense of purpose to CAF’s operations at a time when African football is seeking greater credibility, growth, and global competitiveness.

His tenure, though currently in an acting capacity, is already being closely watched as a potential turning point in the evolution of football governance on the continent.

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