The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has rejected reports claiming it asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to step down from his position, Trybal News reports.
The NFF described the reports as false and urged the public to disregard them, especially claims circulating across social media.
In a notice published on its official X handle, #thenff stated: “Contrary to reports, especially on social media, #thenff has never asked and is not asking for #FIFAcom President, Mr. Gianni Infantino to step down as FIFA PRESIDENT. This is outright falsehood. Kindly disregard.”
The clarification comes as Infantino faces growing scrutiny over his leadership following controversy surrounding a proposal to sell commercial rights linked to the World Cup.
Several European football associations, including Norway, have publicly called for Infantino to resign. However, other football bodies and the Confederation of African Football continue to support the FIFA president.
The NFF statement quickly drew reactions from Nigerian football fans on X, adding to the wider debate surrounding Infantino’s leadership.
Infantino faces growing pressure despite NFF disclaimer
Senior FIFA officials backed Infantino after a crisis meeting on Wednesday. However, UEFA continues to threaten a boycott of future men’s and women’s World Cups.
The European governing body maintained its position even after FIFA abandoned the controversial sell off plans. UEFA wants assurances that a similar proposal will not return in the future.
A UEFA boycott would have a major impact on the World Cup. Six of the current top 10 teams in both men’s and women’s football would miss the tournament if the threat became reality.
The controversy has also affected FIFA’s relationship with the players’ union. FIFPRO said its confidence in FIFA’s leadership “has now been fundamentally broken.”
Meanwhile, CONMEBOL has taken a different position. The South American governing body opposed the commercial rights proposal but said it would not support an extraordinary congress to vote on Infantino’s future.
Instead, CONMEBOL said it would follow the existing timetable for the FIFA presidential election, which is scheduled for early next year.
The Confederation of African Football has also backed Infantino. CAF relies more heavily on FIFA funding than some other continental confederations, making its position particularly significant.
For now, the NFF has made its own position clear. The federation says it has neither asked nor plans to ask Infantino to leave his role as FIFA president.
