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withdrawn and the properly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.