By Andrew Warshaw
July 7 – FIFA have given Nigerian authorities until tomorrow (Tuesday) to re-instate the board of the national association (NFF) or face being kicked out of world football for violating its rules over government intervention.
NFF president Aminu Maigari was arrested (and subsequently released) on his return from the World Cup along with several other board members and the NFF executive committee dissolved by a state order, reportedly for misappropriating funds and mismanaging the highly publicised Super Eagles’ bonus row during the tournament.
The federation was temporarily replaced by a sole administrator – a move the Nigerian government said was essential while legal proceedings were ongoing. But in a statement, FIFA warned that it would not recognise anyone appointed by the Nigerian government to run the game.
“FIFA has sent a letter to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) expressing its great concern over different actions taken by Nigerian public authorities that affect the NFF,” its statement read.
“FIFA has learnt from various sources that the NFF has been served with court processes and that consequently an order restraining the President of the NFF, his executive committee members and the NFF congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football has been granted by a High Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“FIFA has also taken note of the detention of NFF President Aminu Maigari, carried out by representatives of the department of the State Security Service. Furthermore, FIFA is also aware that the Minister of Sport has appointed an assistant director to take charge of the NFF.
“FIFA has reminded the NFF that all FIFA member associations have to manage their affairs independently and without influence of any third parties.
“The NFF has been asked to relay Fifa’s position to the relevant authorities and inform them that if the aforementioned NFF officials are not fully reinstated by Tuesday 8 July 2014 the case will be referred to the appropriate FIFA bodies for sanctions, including the potential suspension of the NFF.”
FIFA’s rules over government interference in the affairs of football have long been the subject of sensitive debate, especially in regions where governments and sports authorities are historically linked as distinct from operating independently of each other.
Nigeria’s sports minister Tammy Danagogo defended his government’s actions which followed Saturday’s extraordinary general assembly of the NFF that endorsed the sacking of Maigari and his management staff.
“We will do our best to make FIFA know that there has been no government interference. We have no such intention,” Danagogo told the BBC. “I can assure you that we will not interfere beyond doing what is legally required by FIFA rules, and that we will ensure that there is a peaceful atmosphere.”
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