Lagos FA Crisis: Football Stakeholders Fault Oki’s Action
Football stakeholders in Lagos State have expressed displeasure over the action of the state Football Association chairman, Fuad Oki, in violating the body’s rules and regulations and that of the Nigeria Football Federation, OSUN DEFENDER learnt.
Recall that the LSFA on Tuesday suspended Oki for gross misconduct by a simple majority of five to four after a quorum was formed in a meeting held at its office on Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos.
Oki was in a video footage watched by OSUN DEFENDER seen hitting at a camera meant to cover the meeting, after he allegedly punched his vice chairman Liameed Gafar.
The board members accused Oki of not attending the NFF Congress in September with no excuse and without the knowledge of the LSFA board. He was also slammed for changing of the association’s logo without approval of the board and the congress.
He was also accused of preventing clubs in Lagos — participating in the Nigerian National League and the Nigeria Premier Football League — from streaming their home games on their respective social media platforms.
The stakeholders also slammed Oki for mandating clubs in the state competing in the NNL to pay a fee of N500,000 for access to the Mobolaji Johnson Arena among other costs for every home game while he also demanded N800,000 from clubs participating in the NPFL.
Speaking with newsmen, Seyi Johnson, the General Manager of 1472 FC, an NNL club based in Lagos, said Oki’s assault on Gafar and his lack of football vision and drive had stalled the growth of the game in the state.
“He (Oki) has no business running the affairs of football in Lagos again,” Johnson said.
“This is no longer football when there is direct confrontation by administrators and not footballers, especially from an FA chairman. It’s barbaric and unacceptable. I will not belong to a place where things are not done the proper way.
“It’s been drama at the Lagos FA all this while and its reached its height.”
Former Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Bukola Olopade, added that the crisis in Lagos FA would set a bad precedent if not resolved amicably.
“It’s a sad development and I feel it should be resolved immediately because it sets a bad precedent,”Olopade said. “We must ensure things like this don’t happen.”
Also, a top football stakeholder in the state, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added, “That’s a grievous offence which should not be allowed to continue. This should not be encouraged in our football. He needs to leave that place , so there won’t be animosity among the board members.”
Yusuf Oketola is a trained journalist with over five years of experience in the media industry. He has worked for both print and online medium. He is a thorough-bred professional with an eye of hindsight on issues bothering on social justice, purposeful leadership, and a society where the leaders charge and work for the prosperity of the people.
