World football governing body, FIFA, has extended the deadline date for Nigeria to respond to the ban imposed on the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
According to a statement on FIFA’s website, Nigeria now has to make amendments by July 17, 2014, or risk an outright ban.
It was gathered that the extension was granted due to the industrial action embarked on by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria.
The statement read that FIFA, in its magnanimity, has extended the window in order to give the NFF enough time to withdraw the court case that was instituted by Ruth Baribote, owner of Nembe FC, and also reinstate the Aminu Maigari-led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board.
The suspension, according to FIFA, will be lifted as soon as the court action is withdrawn and a properly-elected NFF Executive Committee, the NFF General Assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without government’s interference.
It would be recalled that FIFA’s Emergency Committee had on 9 July, 2014, suspended the NFF with immediate effect on account of government’s alleged interference.
* President of NFF, Aminu Maigari
The decision follows a letter sent by FIFA to the NFF on July, 4, 2014, in which it expressed its great concern over a Nigerian court’s order preventing the president of the NFF, the NFF Executive Committee members and the NFF Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football.
According to the ban, no team from Nigeria of any sort (including clubs) can have any international sporting contact.
* FIFA boss Sepp Blatter
Also, during the period of suspension, the NFF may not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, or in friendly matches. The most immediate effect is that Nigeria will not be entitled to participate in the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup (5-24 August 2014) should the suspension not be lifted by July 15, 2014.
In addition, neither the NFF nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any FIFA or CAF development programmes, courses or training during the suspension period.
Since the ban has been placed on Nigeria, Nigerians were commenting on whether the country truly deserved to be suspended by the world football governing body.
According to former Green Eagles’ player, Adokiye Amiesimaka, the FIFA’s ruling is flawed.
The former footballer now turned a lawyer, also described the suspension of Nigeria as “blackmail.”
“FIFA is probably not well-informed. Wasn’t it reported that Congress of the body dissolved it in accordance with FIFA-approved statutes?
“Regarding earlier reported court order, FIFA can’t query due obedience and compliance. After all, FIFA itself is subject to jurisdiction of Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) which is itself subject to jurisdiction of Swiss judicial system even on sport-related matters especially on public policy, fair hearing, and Jurisdiction,” Amiesimaka, popularly referred to as the Chief Justice of Nigerian football, told Supersport.com.
“Order of court can’t therefore be said to be government interference on account of supremacy of the constitution, separation of powers, and rule of law.
“Government can and should demand accountability for disbursed public funds. On no account should Nigeria succumb to blackmail from any source.
“If FIFA disregards lawful action and insists on suspension so be it. It could be needed impetus to compel overdue restructuring of our football,” he said.
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