Football stakeholders differ in FG’s decision to ban fans from Nigeria vs Sierra Leone AFCON qualifier

During an inspection tour of the stadium on Monday, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick had promised to look into the request of the Edo state government to host 6,000 to 7,000 fans in the 15,000-capacity stadium. He said, “We have to observe the COVID-19 protocols to the letter. They (Edo) have written to us officially, this is a 15,000-capacity stadium. They want about 6,000 to 7,000 fans who will observe social distancing, so we are going to look at it. We will send letters to the (sports) ministry and the Presidential Task Force. Once we get the approval within the next two days we will send.”

However, on Wednesday, the sports ministry in a letter addressed to the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, advised the state against allowing fans into the stadium.

In Separate interviews with the Punch, Football stakeholders in the country are divided in reaction to the Sports ministry’s decision.

Former Chairman, Gombe State Football Association, Shuaib Gara-Gombe, disagrees with the position of the ministry.

He said, “The ministry’s decision was only to get at the NFF because whatever position the ministry holds should be quietly communicated to the NFF, who can now act appropriately on it.

“Is it not the same country where we had political rallies in Ondo and Edo states? As at the time they had those rallies the rate of COVID-19 was still high and the protocols had not been relaxed. Now that we opened churches, markets and mosques, why can’t they allow fans into the stadium?”

Sports journalist, Godwin Enakhena, said the FG’s directive must be obeyed.

“If politicians are taking risks, it doesn’t mean others should, because the people who gathered at political rallies are peasants who came to get their daily bread,” Enakhena said.

“If the Federal Government says no fans, we should respect that and adhere to it because even when the stadia were opened how many fans did we see?”

Alloy Chukwuemeka, Secretary of the Club Owners Association, said the state government and the FG could reach an agreement to allow fans into the stadium.

He said, “The Edo governor wants fans to enjoy the game but he should also understand that the conditions for the resumption of  contact sports is very clear. He should approach the PTF and the NCDC and give them reasons why they should allow the fans in.”