The Forum of State Football Association Chairmen has dismissed reports claiming that 16 FA chairmen jointly petitioned the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over FIFA’s proposed intervention in Nigerian football, describing the publication as false and misleading.

In a rejoinder issued on Wednesday, October 15, 2026, and signed by Gombe State Football Association Chairman, Yakubu Sarma, on behalf of the forum, the FA chairmen denied filing any petition against FIFA.

The statement followed the circulation of a social media report alleging that more than 16 state FA chairmen had approached CAS ahead of a purported FIFA verdict on Nigeria’s football administration.

The forum described the report as a fabrication intended to mislead the public and create unnecessary tension within Nigerian football.

“At no time did 16 FA Chairmen file any petition to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS),” the statement declared, insisting that the claim was entirely false.

The chairmen also challenged the report’s claim that FIFA was expected to issue a decision on Thursday, October 15, concerning the establishment of a normalisation committee for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

According to the statement, neither the NFF nor the National Sports Commission (NSC) had been notified of a FIFA meeting in Zurich to establish such a committee.

The forum further rejected suggestions that state FA chairmen were in conflict with the NFF or the NSC, describing themselves as stakeholders committed to working with both institutions to advance Nigerian football.

“The FA Chairmen are key stakeholders and partners in progress with the NFF/NSC. They are not at war with the Federation, or NSC,” the statement said.

The chairmen urged members of the media, football stakeholders and the general public to disregard the report, warning against the circulation of unverified information capable of damaging the reputation of Nigerian football.

They also warned that the forum could consider legal action against individuals responsible for what it described as malicious fabrication.

“Nigerian Football is not in crisis, and must not be dragged into one,” the statement added.

The controversy comes amid ongoing discussions over reforms to the NFF following the resignation of former president Ibrahim Gusau, former general secretary Mohammed Sanusi and other executive committee members.

The debate over the future structure of Nigerian football administration intensified after FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) held consultations with stakeholders in Abuja in September.

During those discussions, state FA chairmen reportedly favoured allowing the existing NFF Congress to lead the process, while other stakeholders supported a normalisation process to address governance concerns and broaden representation within the federation.  

Reports published on October 15 alleged that 16 state FA chairmen had filed a CAS petition challenging FIFA’s proposed normalisation committee. The forum’s rejoinder directly disputes that claim.  

The reported petition and the chairmen’s denial have added another dimension to the debate over the direction of football administration reforms in Nigeria.

However, the rejoinder does not provide documentary evidence relating to any alleged CAS filing or FIFA notification. The claims concerning the petition and the anticipated decision therefore remain disputed between the circulating report and the forum’s statement.

The FA chairmen said they remained committed to protecting the interests of Nigerian football and called on media organisations to verify sensitive claims with relevant authorities before publication.