BON backtracks on Fifa deal announcement in Nigeria

The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, a body of public and commercial broadcasters, has backtracked on its announcement last weekend that it has concluded an agreement with Fifa for free-to-air rights to a host of the world governing body’s 2019 events.

“The announcement of the deal between the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and Fifa was premature and incorrect,” the body told SportBusiness Media.

“Although negotiations on the sale of media rights to the Fifa Women’s World Cup France 2019 and the Other Fifa Events in 2019 in Nigeria are at an advanced stage, the parties have not yet concluded an agreement. Any such agreement will be announced jointly by both signing parties.

“BON regrets the premature announcement and looks forward to finalising the agreement.” it said.

The supposed conclusion of the deal had been widely reported in local media.

In addition to the Fifa Women’s World Cup, the inventory reportedly includes the Fifa U20 World Cup, the Fifa U17 World Cup; and the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup.