The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland has accused World Football Governing Body of interfering with the internal running of football in Nigeria.

The court ordered status quo ante (the way things were before) in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership crisis until the determination of the petition filed by Vice-President (of the Chris Giwa led faction), Chief Obinna OgbaObinna Ogba, Yahaya Adams and five other stakeholders.

In a letter issued to FIFA, CAS gave FIFA till 12.00 noon Swiss time to explain why it would sanction the NFF. The letter stated that the suspension threat by FIFA had been removed as the NFF will now operate without undue threat from any quarter.

Ogba has described the new development as divine intervention as he thanked Nigerians for their patience.

“We promised Nigerians that FIFA will not suspend us and to God be the glory, the suspension had been averted,” said Ogba.

FIFA had last Friday threatened to suspend Nigeria Football Federation if by Monday Giwa and his executive committee members did not vacate the football federation office. The directive was respected yesterday, as Chris Giwa-led NFF board did not report at the glass house.

With the new development, Giwa may just be returning to the glass house rather than Aminu Maigari.