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NFF CRISIS: FIFA SETS TO BAN NIGERIA EXCEPT
GIWA VACATES OFFICE
By Lovins Yakubu
July 16, 2018
Nigeria should brace for
difficult days ahead as World Football Governing Body FIFA is bent on bringing
its hammer on the country for flouting its rule.
A reliable source from the
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) informed African
Drum that over the course of next few days, Nigeria could face the real
prospect of a lengthy ban from FIFA.
The source further said that if
this happens, Nigerians should hold Solomon Dalung, Nigeria’s Sports Minister
and Christopher Giwa responsible.
It has been over two weeks since
Giwa, with Dalung’s backing and support, seized control of the NFF headquarters
on the strength of an ex parte court order, issued in the absence of NFF
lawyers, a move which is said to be in clear violation of FIFA statutes which
outlaw civil suites in football disputes, providing legal recourse through the
Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).
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| Pinnick |
Giwa, having lost his appeal at
CAS against FIFA for refusing to recognize his election, took the case to the
Nigerian civil courts. The case has dragged on for almost four years and has
now led to the current situation.
With a thrilling world cup having
come to a conclusion yesterday, as France defeated Croatia 4 – 2 in Moscow, FIFA
must now return to other more routine matters.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino reaffirmed
on Saturday that the body only recognizes the NFF board as led by Amaju Pinnick
and warned that if the present situation continues, the country risked a ban.
In the event of FIFA ban, it
could lead to very dire immediate implications for Nigeria football. It means
the under 17 girls would not be able to participate at the world cup they have
qualified for, while Nigeria’s under 17 and under 20 boys would be thrown out
of the African qualifiers. The Super Eagles also risk being tossed from the
qualifying race for the 2019 African Cup of Nations while Eyimba would be
disqualified from the CAF Confederation Cup.
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| Giwa |
A simple solution to avoid the
ban according to a stake holder who wouldn’t want his name in print would be
for Giwa to vacate the glass house.
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