"Reading about NFF partnership with Roma FC brings tears to my eyes" - Barr Green

Reading about NFF partnership with Roma FC brings tears to my eyes - Barr Green

By Niyi Busari

Rivers State Football Association Chairman, Barrister Christopher Green has said that the Nigeria Football Federation partnership with an Italian clubside AS Roma, is not the best thing to happen to the federation, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

Barrister Green while expressing his dissatisfaction over the partnership opined that the NFF should have partnered with the Italian Football Association rather than reducing themselves to partner with a football club under the country's football governing body.

"Reading about a partnership with Roma FC brings tears to my eyes. Have we gone down this level of a club side to partner with a national Association. If you tell me of a partnership with the Italian Football Association, I will congratulate the Nff and wear the headships gallands, not a club side under an association. It's an all time low." Green said.

He however, urged the NFF to find a lasting g solution to the non sponsors of Nigerian league and how to improve the standard of the league which in turn will improve the quality of the team that represent Nigeria in the continent.

"We should be thinking of charade we had as a league that ended abruptly and produced winners that could not go far representing us in Africa. We should be thinking of how to get sponsors to grow our league."

On the way forward on how the league can get back to the good old days, he offered his advise.

"We should be thinking of paying the huge debts we owe Referees, match commissioners, referee assessors and state associations that host tournaments. We should be thinking of sharing winning prizes and interests to all clubs. We should be thinking of showing our league games in the television live. We should be thinking of playing a 20 club straight national league. We should be thinking of setting a definite date for the league to commence. We should be thinking of conferences for match officials and even media men." He concluded.

The NFF last Friday announced the three years partnership with AS Roma whose objective is to further grow and improve at all levels of football in Nigeria.

The deal which was signed in Abuja will see AS Roma and NFF sharing football, business and media expertise, with Roma offering the NFF technical and operational support and advice in the areas of youth coaching, plate development, football administration and digital media best practices.

In return, the NFF will collaborate with AS Roma on its projects and development Initiatives in Nigeria.