The Fifa Emergency Committee has finally announced the suspension of the Nigerian Football Federation with immediate effect due to alleged interference from the government.
The decision by FIFA follows a letter sent by to the NFF on 4 July 2014, in which it expressed its great concern after the NFF was served with court proceedings by a court in plateau state, preventing the president of the NFF, the NFF Executive Committee members and the NFF Congress from running the affairs of football in Nigeria ” a statement read.“The said court order compelled the Nigerian Minister of Sports to appoint a senior member of the civil service to manage the NFF until the matter was heard in court, without giving any date for such a hearing. The authorities then appointed a person who decided to convene an extraordinary general assembly on 5 July 2014. This extraordinary general assembly was convened in violation of the NFF statutes.“Originally, an elective congress had been planned by the NFF to take place on 26 August 2014.“The suspension will be lifted once the court actions have been withdrawn and the properly elected NFF Executive Committee, the NFF general assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without any interference from a third party in their affairs.“As a result of this decision, no team from Nigeria of any sort (including clubs) can have any international sporting contact (art. 14 par. 3 of the FIFA Statutes). During the period of suspension, the NFF may not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, or in friendly matches. The most immediate effect is that Nigeria will not be entitled to participate in the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup (5-24 August 2014) should the suspension not be lifted by 15 July 2014.“In addition, neither the NFF nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any FIFA or CAF development programmes, courses or training during the suspension period.”
The last time Nigeria was sanctioned by FIFA, it affected the Nigerian football Negatively and jst as the nation has begun to shake off that monkey by winning the African cup of nations, FIFA’S hammer of justice seems to be looming dangerously once again.
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