Former Nigeria international, Duke Udi has launched a scathing attack on African football administration amid the ongoing FIFA, UEFA and Infantino Saga.
He firmly stated that the continent lacks the moral authority to oppose major FIFA reforms because corruption remains deeply entrenched within its own football structures.
Speaking on the now-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, Udi argued that African football leaders should focus on fixing governance problems at home before taking aim at FIFA President Gianni Infantino or challenging reforms introduced by world football’s governing body.
These statement come amid continued debate over FIFA’s governance reforms and the controversial FFE initiative, which generated strong reactions before eventually being shelved.
For Udi, however, the bigger issue lies much closer to home.
‘We Cannot Be Against Or Be For’ – Duke Udi
The former midfielder did not hide his frustration as he questioned Africa’s position in the global football governance debate.
According to Udi, corruption has become so widespread across the continent that African administrators have little credibility when criticizing FIFA.
He suggests that Africa’s governance challenges must be addressed before its football leaders can credibly challenge decisions taken at FIFA level.
“For me personally, we cannot be against or be for, because even in our continent here, we are so corrupt, to the extent that corruption smells a lot.”
‘How Can You Fight Infantino?’ – Duke Udi Slams
Udi went further by questioning why African officials would publicly oppose FIFA President Gianni Infantino while, in his view, failing to tackle corruption within their own football systems.
The former international even argued that Infantino has shown a level of transparency that many African football leaders have yet to match.
“So how can any leader come out in Africa and say he’s against Infantino, when the corruption in our own continent is more than enough.”
He added to one of his strongest criticisms of football governance across Africa:
“The African leaders are corrupt, more than corruption.”
“So why are you fighting against Infantino, who is even transparent to a limit, and to a certain stage.”
A Challenge To African Football Administrators
Continuing his criticism, Udi challenged anyone to point to a football administrator on the continent whom he considers completely free from corruption.
According to him, the widespread governance issues across Africa have severely weakened the continent’s credibility on the global stage.
This belief of his, states that meaningful reform must begin within African football before attention turns to FIFA.
“And if you look at the whole Africa, bring one person that is transparent, one person that is corruption free, one person that is against the source of the game.”
“I mean, what are we talking about?”
“Africa has no stand without due respect, because we are so corrupt.”
‘We Can’t Even Control Our Own System’
Udi concluded with another blunt assessment, insisting that corruption has become so deeply embedded in African football that administrators have struggled to effectively govern their own institutions.
He argued that discussing reforms at the global level becomes difficult when fundamental governance issues remain unresolved at home.
“Corruption is even smelling in our own body, that we can’t even control our own system here.”
“We are talking about the world.”
While opinions remain divided over FIFA’s reform agenda and Gianni Infantino’s leadership, the former Nigeria international believes Africa’s priority should not be opposing FIFA initiatives.
Instead, he insists the continent must first confront the governance challenges within its own football institutions.
Also, the path to greater influence in world football does not begin in Zurich, it begins with transparency, accountability and reform across Africa itself.
