Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick yesterday dismissed as of no effect the recent Football Leaks in which some hackers have been releasing documents from the private and official emails of members of the FIFA executive. Pinnick said the hackers were out to embarrass the world football body and also damage the reputation of its principal officers.He said, “The Leaks are hopelessly weak and they do not affect the fact that Africa sticks with Gianni.
“The entire NFF Executive Committee including myself remain avowed loyalists of Mr. Infantino and we will continue to give him support.“For us, the hawkers of these weak leaks are thoroughbred blackmailers whose objective is to try and smear the reputation of persons who are working so hard and diligently to reposition FIFA. Over the past three years, FIFA has embarked on a worthwhile journey to regain its integrity and credibility, and the works of the President, Mr. Gianni Infantino and the Secretary General, Ms. Fatma Samoura, are outstanding in this regard.”
Pinnick described FIFA as “Financially, socially and transparent organization, adding, “FIFA has turned the positive corner from the crisis and credibility deficits of 2015. We now have a FIFA that is truly global in outlook and pursuing the interests of all six Confederations and 211 Member Associations without any fear or favour. Some persons are definitely not happy about that.”
He insisted that Infantino and the FIFA administration were committed to projects and programmes that impact positively on the game worldwide, adding that the hackers were disgruntled elements with nothing else to do other than attack the integrity of the world body.
“Nigeria and – I have good reason to believe – the whole of Africa is not bothered by whatever the haters have. We stick with Mr. Infantino and the current administration at FIFA. When Mr. Infantino came into office, he opened all the windows to inclusiveness, diversity and true development across board. Read more