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Pinnick denies financial misconduct allegations over FIFA Goal project in Kebbi

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Amaju Pinnick, the immediate past President of the Nigerian Football Federation, has dismissed allegations of financial impropriety concerning the FIFA Goal Project in Kebbi State, characterizing the situation as a misunderstanding.

His statement follows widespread criticism after FIFA posted an image on social media displaying the Kebbi Stadium under the FIFA Forward Programme.

READ ALSO:   Super Eagles rise to 41st in latest FIFA world rankings 

The photograph, captured in 2023, showed an incomplete facility and sparked outrage among Nigerians questioning how the allocated $1.2 million was utilized.

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Recall earlier reported that the Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Kabiru Amadu, clarified that the Federation of International Football Associations does not build or construct standard stadiums for nations, contrary to public expectations surrounding the controversial Kebbi Stadium project.

During an appearance on ARISE News on Wednesday, Pinnick maintained that the project was handled transparently, noting that FIFA’s rigorous financial oversight guarantees appropriate fund usage.

“If FIFA gives you their money, they audit their money, they know A to Z, and they have standards. So if the contract was about 1.1 million dollars, 1.1 million dollars in 2020, how much was it in naira? Less than 400 million naira. That’s what people don’t know.

“Everything went according to plan. And even in the contract, I can share it; it was stated clearly that there was no variation. COVID came, and after COVID, you started building your workers on site and COVID, and everybody had to go. There was no additional dime to the contract, no variation, even in spite of COVID. There was a time in Nigerian football, I said, listen, you can hate Amaju Pinnick but love Nigerian football. Love Nigerian football.”

Pinnick urged Nigerians to verify facts before making judgments, highlighting that his administration is committed to accountability and the growth of football in the country. “So I just want to appeal, let us get our facts right before we come out to the public and start saying things,” he added.

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Meanwhile, the House of Representatives decided on Tuesday to establish a special committee to examine FIFA and Confederation of African Football grants totaling $25 million that were provided to the NFF.

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Diallo’s stunning volley earns United late 2-2 draw on Amorim’s anniversary 

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Manchester United salvaged a point against Nottingham Forest with Amad Diallo’s spectacular volleyed 2-2 equalizer in the closing stages, marking exactly one year since Ruben Amorim took charge of the club.

The visitors opened the scoring through Casemiro’s header following a disputed corner decision.

READ ALSO: United secure back-to-back EPL victories with a dramatic 4-2 win over Brighton 

Officials ruled that Nicola Savona’s clearance of Bryan Mbeumo’s delivery had crossed the touchline, though video evidence appeared inconclusive about whether the entire ball had gone out of play.

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Despite holding their interval advantage, United’s hopes of climbing to second place evaporated early in the second period. Forest overturned the deficit within five minutes through Morgan Gibbs-White, who converted Ryan Yates’ cross, before Savona capitalized on defensive confusion to put the hosts ahead—ending their four-game scoring drought.

Rather than collapse, Amorim’s men responded with 81 minutes played when Amad struck brilliantly from distance after Forest partially cleared a set piece. United nearly snatched victory in stoppage time, but Amad’s goal-bound effort was hacked away on the goal line.

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Palace end winless run with dominant victory over Brentford

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Crystal Palace snapped their winless streak with a convincing 2-0 triumph over Brentford, who had been enjoying strong form.

Jean-Philippe Mateta broke the deadlock with an exquisite arcing header that sailed beyond Caoimhin Kelleher’s reach into the far corner, adding spark to an otherwise dull opening period.

READ ALSO: Palace edge Liverpool in shootout to win Community Shield 

The striker had previously netted three times in Palace’s thrilling stalemate with Bournemouth two weeks earlier.

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Despite defeating Liverpool in their previous outing, Brentford struggled throughout the first half. Their best opportunity to level came when Mikkel Damsgaard stepped up to take a free kick from a promising position after Daichi Kamada’s foul, but he blazed his attempt well over.

Brentford’s misery deepened shortly after halftime when Nathan Collins deflected Jefferson Lerma’s long delivery past his own goalkeeper, doubling Palace’s advantage.

Collins nearly compounded his error by surrendering possession to Ismaila Sarr in a dangerous area, though the Senegalese forward’s shot struck the woodwork.

Reiss Nelson tested Dean Henderson late on with a curling strike, but Oliver Glasner’s side comfortably preserved their clean sheet.

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Relentless Arsenal cruise past Burnley to seal ninth straight win 

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Arsenal maintained their perfect winning streak with a dominant away performance against Burnley, extending their run to nine consecutive victories across all competitions.

Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice found the net as the league leaders secured their fifth straight league triumph, establishing a seven-point gap at the summit, though some rivals have matches in hand.

READ ALSO:  Eze shines as Arsenal claim shock victory over Palace at Emirates

Mikel Arteta’s men overcame a Burnley outfit known for defensive resilience and riding high after successive wins. Arsenal’s set-piece prowess—league-leading this campaign—proved decisive when Gyokeres tapped home from Rice’s corner delivery.

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Martin Dubravka denied Bukayo Saka with an acrobatic stop before Leandro Trossard saw his attempt cleared off the line. Rice then doubled the advantage before halftime, meeting Trossard’s lofted pass with a powerful header.

The hosts enjoyed greater possession after the restart and threatened through Florentino Luis, whose close-range header sailed over, while Marcus Edwards rattled the frame of the goal with a late free kick.

Beyond that brief scare, Arsenal cruised through their eighth victory in ten league matches this season. The 2-0 defeat leaves Burnley hovering just four points above the relegation zone in seventeenth position.

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