Nigeria Football Crisis: NFF refutes claims of pardon of banned members

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has dismissed claims that the Appeals Committee chairman, Eddy Mark, had pardoned the two suspended executive board members.

The board members, Chris Green and Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh,’ were suspended from the NFF Executive Committee and banned from football related activities for different periods on Thursday.

According to NFF spokesperson, Ademola Olajire, on Friday in Abuja, a decision rescinding the ban, purported to have been handed down by Mr. Mark, was received Friday morning in the NFF.

“The so-called decision did not state how many of the Committee members were present, or whether the Secretary was also there,” Mr. Olajire said in his statement.

He clarified that the committee was yet to meet over appeals by the duo, noting that Messrs. Green and Yusuf had only filed their appeals on Thursday.

“It is true that Barrister Green and Ahmed Yusuf have appealed their suspension from the Executive Committee and ban from football–related activities for different periods. But the letters of Appeal only came in on Thursday night,” he said.

“Whenever the Committee will meet, its meeting will be at the NFF Secretariat as it has always been, and all parties to the appeal, including the NFF Executive Committee and the appellants, will be available to present their case. The date of the meeting and time will also be made public.”

Mr. Olajire also pointed out that it was “known fact” the Chairman of the Appeals Committee was a personal friend of one of the appellants. He, however, did not mention which one.

“But Nigeria football is not the private business of any individual,” he said. “The decision still stands and will be conveyed to the next General Assembly for ratification.”