NFF Crisis: FIFA threatens to ban Nigeria

The world football governing body, FIFA, has warned that Nigeria may be suspended if the current crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation is not promptly resolved.

In an email sent to the NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, from the FIFA headquarters and made public by Ademola Olajire, the world football governing 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.

“In view of the above, the decision of the Federal High Court in Jos, if implemented, would likely be considered as an interference in the internal affairs of the NFF and the case would be brought to the highest authorities of FIFA for consideration of sanctions, including the suspension of the NFF,” part of the letter from FIFA read.

The letter, signed by TI. l Markus Kattner, FIFA acting secretary-general, reiterated 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.

Already, Nigeria’s Sports Minister has accused FIFA of hypocrisy as he questioned the rationale behind banning a country when individuals chose to err.

“All happening today in NFF is the hypocrisy of FIFA statutes that encouraged indiscipline amongst its members while using ban monster nation,” he said.

Analysts have wondered whether Nigeria is a special case with FIFA as the body kept mute when a civil court sacked the whole Egyptian FA for allegedly coming to power via a fraudulent election.