By Amaechi Agbo

Rivers State Football Association Chairman, Barrister Chris Green has described the position of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF in the just concluded Anambra State Football Association, ANSFA as laughable adding that it is not mandatory or statutory for the NFF to send officials to monitor State FA elections, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report

Barrister Green who is the Special Adviser to Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike on Real Madrid Academy, cited NFF’s invitation to FIFA to come and observe the 2014 elections which the world body declined but accepted the result when report was presented to it.

He described the release by the NFF credited to Chairman of Chairmen in the federation as a conflict of interest and a harbinger of confusion.

“I have been laughing since I listened to that interview granted by Gusau.

“This problem is self inflicted. Sometimes its better to remain within your confinement.

“Fact is, it is not mandatory or statutory for the NFF to send officials to monitor State FA elections. This is purely an independent exercise of the state FA.

“It is only when the state FA requests the NFF to send representatives to monitor its election that the NFF may send one.

“In the 2014 NFF General elections, the Federation requested FIFA to send its officials to monitor the election. FIFA declined the invitation citing busy schedule. In the end FIFA accepted the elections without qualms under the principle of independence of member associations to conduct their affairs without interference from third parties.

“NFF cannot set up a committee to monitor State elections headed by the Chairman of Chairmen who himself contested an election in his state. Conflict of interest you may say.
This is the basis of confusion.

“The procedure is quite simple, allow Anambra FA Electoral Committee to come out with its decision which shall be communicated to the NFF for its information.
At this stage the NFF can come out with its statement and even sanctions as the case may be.

“Now we hear stories of compromise, bribery, etc which goes to injure the reputation and integrity of the monitors.

“It thus has brought football to disrepute. We shall see,” he stated.