NFF Technical Committee Members Including Ikpeba, Adepoju, Resign En Masse Over Oliseh Saga

 

According to a report on Sports Vanguard, the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), made up of such eminent former football stars like Christian Chukwu, Paul Bassey, Victor Ikpeba, Mutiu Adepoju and Garba Lawal, have all resigned their appointments. 

 

It was revealed that they resigned en masse following what they described as the mishandling of the Sunday Oliseh’s case by the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick. 

 

After the viral 'insane' video attack on Nigerians by Oliseh on YouTube, the NFF had referred the case to the Technical Committee to recommend penalties to be meted out to the loquacious coach. 

 

It was also gathered that the Committee after exhaustive deliberations, were utterly disappointed that Pinnick jettisoned their report and instead ran to the Youth and Sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung who saved the embattled coach by asking for a second chance for him. 

 

"The Committee recommended for his outright dismissal after they agreed that he had violated his contract", a source said. 

 

When contacted last night, Chairman of the Technical Committee, Barrister Chris Green confirmed the development but said that he was working hard to ensure that the 'wise' men rescind their decisions. 

 

"It is true that they are not keen to work again but I am prevailing on them to think twice because of their love and passion for the game and patriotism for the country. They cannot be treated with levity. They are heavyweights on their own and they are not paid a dime for their services," Green said. 

 

It was gathered that the Technical Committee have not had a smooth relationship with Oliseh after the coach said he had nothing to do with them when they queried him following a dismal outing in CHAN. 

 

A member of the Technical Committee who was visibly angry with the handling of the Oliseh case said that the coach would mess up Pinnick.

 

"If they fail to take punitive action on him, he’ll mess them up. The problem is with Amaju (Pinnick) because he wants to please everybody. They gave him (Oliseh) the job on sentiment and that is the result. As for me, I can’t stay to watch him insult the Technical Committee. We all played for this country and deserve respect," the source, who does not want his name said.