FIFA doesn't scare us – Dalung

Andrew Oryada
Special to KweséESPN


Nigeria's Sports Minister Solomon Dalung has said they will not be scared by the world football governing body FIFA.

The Minister told KweséESPN on Friday in Kampala that since Nigeria is a sovereign state, they will not bow to pressures from FIFA.

Earlier in the week FIFA issued Nigeria with an ultimatum stating that they have until 20 August to restore and recognise Amaju Pinnick as the legitimate president of the NFF, or face a ban.

"FIFA will not scare us. We are a big country and FIFA must learn to listen to a country that is investing a lot of money in football development," Dalung told KweséESPN at the Seninde Foundation Women's Football tournament hosted at the Philip Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, where he was a guest.

"There is a misconception of the entire situation. FIFA is an international organisation. Nigeria is a country and a defined sovereign state which is affiliated to FIFA. We have a crisis in the football leadership and the crisis went to the courts and the supreme courts decided. So, what is FIFA talking about? And yet they also don't want to meet us." said Dalung.

Dalung is adamant that FIFA are incorrect and he believes that FIFA should treat governing bodies in Africa with more respect.

"FIFA cannot be right. They have not even appreciated what is on the ground. Football is funded in Africa by governments which build the infrastructure and pump in money. FIFA must therefore learn to treat the government partners with respect," added Dalung in his interview with KweséESPN.

"We wrote them a letter seeking [a platform to] discuss about the crisis in Nigerian football. But, we received a letter on Thursday saying that they are not willing to meet with the Nigerian delegation. That is the best we have done to engage with them and discuss the crisis.

"They have decided to take sides and stand by what they think," added the Sports Minister.

http://kwese.espn.com/football/nigeria/story/3600929/nigeria-arent-scared-of-fifa-solomon-dalung


1) NFF president Amaju Pinnick is the FIFA-recognised leader of the Nigerian football organisation

2) Solomon Dalung

FIFA have said that they will ban Nigeria on Monday morning if the NFF headquarters is not handed over to the executive committee headed by Amaju Pinnick.

Tournaments that Nigeria could miss


1) Nigeria are to play Seychelles on September 7th in an African Nations Cup qualifier.

2) The African Women's Nations Cup will begin on November the 17th.

3) The African Women's Nations Cup will serve as qualifiers for the FIFA Women's World Cup in June next year.

4) Enyimba are currently playing in the group stage of the CAF Confederations Cup (they beat Djoliba in Mali tonight).

"FIFA cannot be right. They have not even
appreciated what is on the ground. Football is
funded in Africa by governments which build the
infrastructure and pump in money. FIFA must
therefore learn to treat the government partners
with respect," added Dalung in his interview with
KweséESPN.

Dalung is talking as if he knows about the FIFA rules and regulations more than the body.

FIFA said it doesn't want the political interference, shikena!

oga keep shut....you ought to be selling palm wine.

FIFA please ban the zoo already

More reactions

How i wish Pa Osinbanjo fit helep us sack dis vigilante /boy scout dey kal minister asap.Useless confusionist

This man is a threat to national peace and if he's not called to order before Monday, it may be too late to redeem the nation from the damage he may cause.

It is obvious this man doesn't understand what is at stake here. Imagine the destinies of men and women, opportunities of youths and all that will be put on hold because of his madness. So much for a youth and sports minister for that matter.

I used to think he is not learned but now I know he is not normal. He doesn't understand how FIFA operates and yet he is a minister of sports for that matter.

How did we get here with such mad men leading sensitive ministries in this country?

Let's see how he will react after the ban.

kingkakaone:
This man is a threat to national peace and if he's not called to order before Monday, it may be too late to redeem the nation from the damage he may cause.

It is obvious this man doesn't understand what is at stake here. Imagine the destinies of men and women, opportunities of youths and all that will be put on hold because of his madness. So much for a youth and sports minister for that matter.

I used to think he is not learned but now I know he is not normal. He doesn't understand how FIFA operates and yet he is a minister of sports for that matter.

How did we get here with such mad men leading sensitive ministries in this country?

Let's see how he will react after the ban.

What national peace? Is he from Boko Haram? FIFA is even more organized than Nigeria if you dont know. A ban is very welcome, as it can get people to really look at alternatives when it comes to the future and development of their people....in ALL THINGS


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDX93IX_95s

There are reports that the Federal Government (read Professor Osinbajo) has written to FIFA stating that the NFF will be run according to FIFA statutes and that the NFF bill, which has been stuck in the National Assembly for ages, will be passed.

Are we going to be banned? Let's see what happens this afternoon.

Chai
This local, wannabe gangsters no go get sense

Useless minister of sport, Dalung you deserve to be flogged out of office

It would not because you have nothing to do with Nigerian football.This how a man with 'spended' brain talks.

Nothing you will not see or hear in Nigeria.
And I blame buhari for this

Okay na

Pls where is viviangist?? She's tired of blogging?

Dalung and Giwa are from same state snd are friends. Y cant he wait for next election ehn. Abeg fifa ban us

Reasons like this makes people like dele alli,alaba,tammy abraham and a host of others not pitching their tents with Nigeria.

Dont be decieved, the rest of the half caste Nigerians who decide to play for Nigeria can never make the first team of the other countries they can represent, can u imagine seeing a leon balogun making the first team in Germany.

The truth is Nigeria as a whole is an embarassment, thIs Giwa of a guy to best of my knowledge has been banned from football activities, so why forcing himself on NFf

lirusehn:
Pls where is viviangist?? She's tired of blogging?

changed to aprokogirl and gistmore

Dalung is officially mentally unbalanced...

FIFA is an external body with no interference from any nation. Because you joined them, it's either you accede to their rules and regulations or get the f*ck off. For the fact this is sports we're talking about, Fifa's rule supersedes that of the Supreme Court. This man is a fool. He deserves to be lynched.

This man is such fool like everything Buhari govt

This guy don chop liver


Make FIFA sef no dey too rush enter matter

Anything For Money

lirusehn:
Pls where is viviangist?? She's tired of blogging?

About asking thesame question

The minister is a disaster

2special:
oga keep shut....you ought to be selling palm wine.

If that idiotic Dalung sells palm wine, he will wreck the business as he will drink up his whole stock

lawless bastards

pls FIFA don't ban us, I'm am the highest goal scorer in our league, is this how my shine wants to go...

pls I have a match tomorrow with our neighboring estate