Skip to main content
Football - Nigeria

Nigeria facing possible FIFA ban

The world football governing body, FIFA, warned Nigeria that it may be suspended if a crisis that  has hit the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is not promptly resolved. The warning follows last week's regional high court decision which ruled that Chris Giwa should be installed as the Nigeria Football Federation's President and that Amaju Pinnick, who is backed by the FIFA, be sacked.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) logo
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) logo completesportsnigeria.com
Advertising

In an email dated 11 April 2016, the world football governing body said it would interpret last week's decision of the Federal high court in Jos, invalidating the September 30 NFF elections that produced Mr. Pinnick, as an "interference in the internal affairs" of the body.

Markus Kattner, the Fifa acting secretary-general who signed the message said that according to article 68 of the FIFA Statutes, "recourse to ordinary courts of law is prohibited unless specifically provided for in the FIFA regulations."

"All members associations have to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties," the letter says.

"In addition and according to article 68 of the Fifa Statutes, recourse to ordinary courts of law is prohibited unless specifically provided for in the FIFA regulations."

Earlier on, FIFA pointed out that it is the second time that Chris Giwa has took legal action as well and approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport in attempts to run the country's football administration.

Local critics point out that FIFA seems to treat Nigeria different from other countries, saying the body kept silent when a civil court in Egypt sacked the whole Egyptian football association after allegations of a fraudulent election.

Meanwhile, the NFF has appealed against Friday’s court ruling, saying that Pinnick is still the head of the federation.

On Monday, Police denied Giwa access to the NFF’s headquarters in Abuja.
If Fifa puts its warning into effect, banning the NFF, then Nigeria's Olympic team also risks being banned from the Rio Olympics later this year. And the Super Eagles could be denied a chance to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The qualifying draw takes place in June.
 

Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning

Keep up to date with international news by downloading the RFI app

Share :
Page not found

The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.