NFF President, Pinnick breaks silence on alleged travel ban

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick has reacted to media reports that a travel ban has been imposed on him and also that President Buhari directed that he should be prosecuted.

Pinnick on Saturday took to his Twitter page denying the report even as he threatened to sue those responsible for the reports.

In a long post, he wrote: “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. 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 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.”