Fifa has suspended the
Nigeria Football Federation
(NFF) with immediate effect
over allegation of
“government interference”
following its emergency meeting on Wednesday.
The football governing body waited 24 hours after its
earlier issued Tuesday deadline to the country over
the illegal dissolution of the Aminu Maigari-led NFF
board.
The Super Eagles were dumped out of the World Cup
by France in the Round of 16, but after the tournament
a court order forced the sports minister to place a
senior civil servant in charge of the NFF owing to
counter allegations.
During the suspension, no teams from Nigeria –
including club sides – can compete with other
nations, even in friendly matches.
“The FIFA Emergency Committee has decided today,
July 9, 2014, to suspend the Nigeria Football
Federation (NFF) with immediate effect, on account of
government interference,” a statement on its website
read.
“The decision follows a letter sent by FIFA to the NFF
on July 4, 2014, in which it expressed its great
concern after the NFF was served with court
proceedings and consequently an order preventing
the president of the NFF, the NFF Executive
Committee members and the NFF Congress from
running the affairs of Nigerian football was granted by
a High Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“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 August 26, 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have been withdrawn and the properly elected NFF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 in their affairs.”
The Fifa Emergency Committee added that neither the
Nigeria national team nor any of the country’s clubs
will be able to participate in any “regional, continental
or international competitions” until the situation is
resolved to its satisfaction.
Consequently, this decision will rule Nigeria out of the
upcoming FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in
Canada if no action is taken by July 15.