FIFA Give Nigeria Final Warning

FIFA Give Nigeria Final Warning

Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) have given Nigeria until midday on Friday to vacate an order granted by the Federal High Court in Jos nullifying the NFF elections of 30 September 2014 in order to avoid a lenghty suspension.

FIFA,in a letter sent yesterday to Amaju Pinnick,President of the Nigeria Football Federation and signed by its General Secretary,Jerome Valcke also want the faction led by Chris Giwa who claimed to have been legitimately elected on August 26,2014 to stop parading themselves as the elected executive committee members of the NFF.

The world governig body for football therefore want the reinstatement of the NFF board that was elected on 30 September.

If Nigeria fail to comply, they will be expelled from qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles are the reigning champions but are now facing the very real prospect of missing the chance to defend their title at the 17 January to 8 February finals.

‘Under these circumstances and in order to give Nigerian football a last opportunity to avoid a lenghty suspension,we inform you that if by Friday 31 October 2014 at middayNigerian time we have not received proof that the case has been definitely withdrawn from court and that the board elected on 30 September 2014 is able to carry out its activities without hindrance,we will refer the case to FIFA emergency committee for implementation of the suspension,’wrote Valcke in the letter.

Apart from the Super Eagles missing out of the AFCON in Morocco next January,FIFA also stated other dire efects a suspension could have on Nigerian football.

‘It would for instance mean that no team from Nigeria of any sort (including club teams) could have any international sporting contact (art. 14 par 3 of the FIFA Statutes).But it would also mean that neither the NFF nor any of its members or officials could benefit from any developmental programmes,courses or training from FIFA or CAF any longer.’