Pinnick denies travel ban report, says NFF cash flow open to all

President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has denied reports that he has been placed on a travel ban by the Federal government.

Pinnick, who serves as the 1st vice president of CAF and an executive committee member of FIFA, has been under strong criticism lately by the Sports ministry over NFF’s 2018 World Cup spendings.

“Good afternoon Nigeria. My attention has just been drawn to a publication by an online media organisation about a travel ban placed on me and an intending prosecution,” he wrote on a thread via his Twitter handle.

“Ironically, it comes on the heels of my trip to Accra, Ghana yesterday for a meeting between the Nigeria Football Federation and CAF partners, AITEO.

“I also have official engagements coming up in Senegal. In other words; no such ban is in place and no security agency has gotten in touch.

“The @thenff recently published its audited accounts in ThisDay Newspapers & Daily Trust on Thursday the 20th of December, 2018 and on Tuesday the 25th of December, 2018 in The Vanguard Newspapers.

“In effect, our finances are open for anyone to see. All incomes from the Federal Government, FIFA & CAF, since 2014 are reflected. Before my appointment into the FIFA committees, I had to pass through
intense integrity and eligibility tests.

“I was not found wanting. Two years ago, FIFA handed the NFF a clean bill of health in our financial management. Our accounts are audited by PwC, the same firm that audits FIFA.

“So it is quite laughable whenever these stories come out. And they come out, without fail, regularly, and from the same sources.

“Well, I’ll be talking to my lawyers to see what legal redress I can get, but it would be nice if our media houses investigated these things before publishing.

“I might not know every journalist in Nigeria, but I do know a few in just about every media house in the country. When these unfounded stories hit, it’s our football that suffers.

“Sponsors and perspective sponsors become wary of and about doing business with us. Surely we can be responsible about our reports?

“I’m hoping the more responsible media outlets will disregard these reports while assuring our partners and prospective partners that we are serious about taking our football upwards. Thank you very much and a very Happy New Year to you, Nigerians.”

SOURCE: OperaNews.com