The
world football governing body, FIFA, has officially responded to claims by the
Nigerian government about its correspondences pertaining to the Nigeria
Football Federation crisis.
FIFA
initially made public its plan to suspend Nigeria from all football-related
activities if the administration of the game is not returned to Amaju Pinnick
and Mohammed Sanusi who it recognises as the authentic president and scribe for
the NFF.
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| NFF Crisis |
Earlier
in the day, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and
Publicity, Laolu Akande, disclosed that the federal government had done the
needful by recognising Mr Pinnick as NFF boss, as instructed by FIFA.
He
said the federal government had already conveyed its position to the world
football governing body that it would continue to work with stakeholders to
resolve the federation’s dispute in due time.
Mr
Akande wrote, “The FG has already conveyed to FIFA its firm position
recognising Amaju Pinnick-led NFF as the current and only NFF executive.
“Government
will also continue to work with all relevant stakeholders involved to resolve
the dispute in a timely manner.
“The
Federal Government is upholding NFF treaty obligations to FIFA.
On
its part, FIFA confirmed it received assurances on the return to status quo but
affirmed that it would still be watching Nigeria closely.
“Following
the decision of the Bureau of the FIFA Council of 13 August 2018 concerning the
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), FIFA received confirmations that the
legitimate leadership of the NFF under President Amaju Melvin Pinnick and
General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi has been given back effective control of the
NFF and its offices.
”In
view of these circumstances, FIFA deems that the conditions set by the decision
of the Bureau of the FIFA Council have now been met and consequently the
suspension of the NFF will not take effect.
World
football governing body FIFA have announced that Nigeria will no longer be
suspended after they restored effective control of the Nigeria Football
Federation (NFF) to Amaju Pinnick.
In
a statement today, FIFA said they have received confirmations that the
legitimate leadership of the NFF under President Amaju Melvin Pinnick and
General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi has been given back effective control of the
NFF and its offices.
“In
view of these circumstances, FIFA deems that the conditions set by the decision
of the Bureau of the FIFA Council have now been met and consequently the
suspension of the NFF will not take effect,” the statement read in part.
“FIFA
will continue to closely monitor the situation in order to ensure that FIFA’s
rules and regulations are fully adhered to.”
Earlier
today, spokesman for acting President Yemi Osinbajo said Pinnick and his
executive committee were recognized as the leadership of football in Nigeria.
“The
FG (Federal Government of Nigeria) has already conveyed to FIFA its firm
position reconising Amaju Pinnick-led NFF as the current and only NFF exco,”
Laolu Akande tweeted.
“Govt.
will also continue to work with all relevant stakeholders involved to resolve
dispute in a timely manner.
“FG
is upholding NFF treaty obligations to FIFA.”
Last
week, FIFA warned that they will suspend Nigeria today on account of undue
interference.
Nigeria’s
apex court, the Supreme Court, has ruled that Amaju Pinnick should step aside
for Chris Giwa to head the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)in the latest twist
in a power tussle that began in 2014 when two separate NFF elections were
staged.
The
world football ruling body have also rejected a request for a delegation of top
Nigerian government and football officials to meet with President Gianni
Infantino.
A
FIFA ban would have immediately meant that Nigeria will not honour a 2019
Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Seychelles early next month, while the
country will also be disqualified from the U17 African zonal qualifiers in
Niger, which kicks off on September 2.
Enyimba
will also be disqualified from this year’s CAF Confederation Cup even after a
crucial win at Djoliba of Mali Sunday night.
By today.ng
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