19th November, 2010
Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, Tunde Popoola has described yesterdayâ€
The Claudio Sulser-led FIFA Ethics Committee yesterday banned Adamu from taking part in any football-related activity at both national and international levels for a period of three years. He was also fined CHF 10,000.
Popoola, who said the embarrassment has been there since the scam was blown open by the Sunday Times of London and FIFAâ€
“Well in the first instance the issue has been one of embarrassment to this country even before the decision was taken by the FIFAâ€
“I cannot say categorically how that will impact on our image because it has already been dented, it is an embarrassing situation whether it will be proved that he did it or not but for it to have come up at all is an embarrassment.
“People have said well itâ€
“Nigerians are not as bad compared to the way we are being painted outside this country, and not only in sports, I am talking generally. It’s just a few, less than 20 per cent of Nigerians who are embarrassing this country.
“Majority of Nigerians are simple, friendly, loving and law abiding people. If a situation like this can happen and embarrasses us for so many months and judgement has been passed today (yesterday), well let us wait for the final judgement to know what to say or do but I think if at the end of the day he is proven guilty he must face the music.â€
On whether the government should press charges against Adamu, the General Manager of Union Bank Sports Club, who viewed the CAF executive committee memberâ€
“Certainly, between you and I there is something that has been robbed on our body, for once every Nigerian will want the dirt to be wiped off of his body, so if judgement is finally delivered and he is free, fine, but if he is found to be guilty after the appeal then he is the one who embarrassed us and he is probably not an able representative.