NFF Crisis: FIFA releases statement on Nigeria
FIFA has confirmed that Nigeria will not be banned, following the intervention of the federal government.
FIFA initially made public its plan to suspend Nigeria from all football-related activities if the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation is not returned to Amaju Pinnick and Mohammed Sanusi who it recognises as the authentic president and scribe for the NFF.
Earlier in the day, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, disclosed that the federal government had done the needful by recognising Mr Pinnick as NFF boss, as instructed by FIFA.
He said the federal government had already conveyed its position to the world football governing body that it would continue to work with stakeholders to resolve the federation’s dispute in due time.
Mr Akande wrote, “The FG has already conveyed to FIFA its firm position recognising Amaju Pinnick-led NFF as the current and only NFF executive.
“Government will also continue to work with all relevant stakeholders involved to resolve the dispute in a timely manner.
“The Federal Government is upholding NFF treaty obligations to FIFA.
On its part, FIFA confirmed it received assurances on the return to status quo but affirmed that it would still be watching Nigeria closely.
In a statement released on it’s website, FIFA confirmed that they will not go ahead with the ban, but that they “will continue to closely monitor the situation”.
“Following the decision of the Bureau of the FIFA Council of 13 August 2018 concerning the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), FIFA received confirmations that the legitimate leadership of the NFF under President Amaju Melvin Pinnick and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi has been given back effective control of the NFF and its offices.
“In view of these circumstances, FIFA deems that the conditions set by the decision of the Bureau of the FIFA Council have now been met and consequently the suspension of the NFF will not take effect.
“FIFA will continue to closely monitor the situation in order to ensure that FIFA’s rules and regulations are fully adhered to.”
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