The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports that FIFA is preparing to sanction Nigeria over the recent resignation of some of its principal officials.

The federation also described as fake a purported letter allegedly issued by FIFA demanding an explanation over the mass resignations at the NFF.

NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi resigned from their positions last week, while Emmanuel Ikpeme was subsequently appointed acting general secretary pending the completion of ongoing reforms.

The resignations sparked concerns that Nigeria could face a FIFA ban for allegedly breaching the world football governing body’s regulations.

However, the NFF, in a statement posted on its official X account on Tuesday, rejected the reports and said the alleged FIFA letter was fabricated.

“NFF has debunked news of a ‘letter’ circulating in sections of the media as being from world football governing body, FIFA. It is totally fake,” the federation said.

The development came amid a meeting between a Nigerian delegation led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

The delegation included NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade, acting NFF General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme and former NFF President Amaju Pinnick.

The NFF said FIFA had already accepted the resignations of the former principal officers and members of the NFF Executive Committee.

It added that discussions were ongoing among the NSC, NFF administration, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA on a comprehensive reform programme for Nigerian football.

According to the federation, the parties are working towards a roadmap that will guide the reforms in line with the relevant statutes and regulations.

“FIFA has already accepted the resignations of former principal officers and Members of the NFF Exco, and mutual engagement between the NSC, NFF administration, and CAF is ongoing with FIFA on the comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football, including agreeing a road map going forward in accordance with the relevant rules books and statutes.”

The NFF had been scheduled to conduct its elective congress later this month, but the elections have now been suspended pending the completion of the reform process.

The latest development comes as football authorities seek to restructure the administration of Nigerian football following the resignation of the federation’s top officials.