Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo
Congress of chairmen dares Zurich, to go ahead with extraordinary meeting
Duro Ikhazuagbe in Rio de Janeiro
Nigeria football is on the verge of FIFA ban again following restraining order by a Jos High Court and the subsequent directive by Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo, that the most senior civil servant at the federation take over the running of the secretariat.
But world football governing body, FIFA, frowns at interference in the running of the game in its affiliate federations, THISDAY learnt yesterday here at the ongoing World Cup in Brazil, that it has written Nigeria to rescind the decision to suspend the Aminu Maigari-led board latest by Tuesday, July 8, 2014 or face ban.
Secretary General of FIFA, Jerome Valcke, in a letter addressed to the NFF leadership yesterday warned, “If the NFF officials (suspended from office) are not fully reinstated by 8 July, 2014, we will have no choice but to refer the case to the appropriate FIFA organs for appropriate sanctions, including the suspension of the NFF.”
The FIFA scribe also warned that it would not recognise any congress called by any other body than the Maigari-led board.
“FIFA will not recognise any person or organs not elected in compliance with the NFF statutes (art. 17 par. 2 and 3 of the FIFA Statutes). Therefore, we will not consider the appointment made by the Minister of Sports. Additionally, we will not recognise any decision taken by the Extraordinary Congress called for July 5 in Abuja. It will be considered null and void,” observed the letter scooped by THISDAY yesterday afternoon.
The consequence of not reinstating Maigari and the other officials suspended from office would mean the banning of all Nigerian national teams and club sides from international duties.
“It would for instance, means that no Nigerian team of any sort, (including club sides), could have any international sporting contact (art. 14 par. 3 of the FIFA Statutes). But it would also mean that neither the NFF nor any of its members or officials could benefit from any development programme, course or training from FIFA or CAF any longer,” observed the letter FIFA asked the NFF leadership to convey to Nigeria’s sports authorities.
The world soccer body also warned that only persons elected at the Elective Congress duly convened for August 26, 2014 will be considered legitimate to run Nigerian football.
Valcke restated the long standing order that FIFA member associations have to manage their affairs independently and without the influence of third parties as clearly stated in articles 13, par. 1 and 17, and par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes.
However, the congress of the NFF, made up of the chairmen and secretaries of football associations in the country, insisted on going ahead with the congress despite the threat from FIFA not to recognise whatever decision that may come out of it.
Chairman of Chairmen of Nigeria football, Chief Effiong Johnson said yesterday evening that the meeting will start at 1pm at the Bolingo Hotel and Towers, Abuja.
“All the Chairmen and Secretaries of the Football Associations of the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja are expected at the meeting. Also expected are representatives of the affiliate bodies such as the Leagues, Coaches Association, Referees Association and Players’ Union,” said the statement signed by the spokesman of the federation, Ademola Olajire.
The managerial and administrative functions of the Maigari-led board of the NFF were put on hold, following the restraining order obtained by Nembe City FC owner, Mrs Ebiakpo Rumson Baribote from the Jos high court.
An Assistant Director at the NFF, Lawrence Katken was subsequently appointed by the Sports Ministry to take over the running of the affairs of the federation in the capacity of acting Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation, vesting him with overall managerial and administrative powers.
The scenario playing out now is similar to what happened shortly after the Super Eagles similarly crashed out of the World Cup hosted by South Africa four years ago. For disappointing the nation despite the huge funding from the federal government, the Sani Lulu board was sacked from office while corruption charges were also hanged on him and his executive committee members.
President Goodluck Jonathan even threatened to withdraw Nigeria from international football for two years for the country to reorganise the sector. Threats like this present letter from FIFA made Nigeria to make a u-turn on the move to go into football wilderness. Lulu and his members are still battling in courts to free themselves from the corruption charges.
The scenario playing out now is similar to what happened shortly after the Super Eagles similarly crashed out of the World Cup hosted by South Africa four years ago. For disappointing the nation despite the huge funding from the federal government, the Sani Lulu board was sacked from office while corruption charges were also hanged on him and his executive committee members.
President Goodluck Jonathan even threatened to withdraw Nigeria from international football for two years for the country to reorganise the sector. Threats like this present letter from FIFA made Nigeria to make a u-turn on the move to go into football wilderness. Lulu and his members are still battling in courts to free themselves from the corruption charges.
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