The news of the ban of NFF might have stunned many Nigerians but it didn’t take many sports analysts by surprise after the Federal Government placed a probe on NFF.
The FIFA Emergency Committee decided to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with immediate effect, on account of government interference.
Article 13, par. 1 and article 17, par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes oblige member associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties.
The suspension of Nigeria from international football by FIFA will have many implications on the development of the game in the country.
* No Nigerian team can compete in any international
(CAF and FIFA organised) competitions
* As a result of this decision, no team from Nigeria of
any sort (including clubs) can have any international
sporting contact (art. 14 par. 3 of the FIFA Statutes).
* 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 15 July 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.
The decision to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) follows a letter sent by FIFA to the NFF on 4 July 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 26 August 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The suspension will be lifted once the court actions have been withdrawn and the properly elected NFF Executive Committee, the NFF general assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without any interference in their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. As a result of this decision, no team from Nigeria of any sort (including clubs) can have any international sporting contact (art. 14 par. 3 of the FIFA Statutes).
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This article was first published on 14th July 2014
obimartins
Martins Okafor is a Sports Writer for Connect Nigeria. He has been a sport buff for years, following stories and development in leagues and international competitions. His interest led him to writing stories – reporting on sporting events. He has superior interest in soccer, but knows much about other sports. He plans to have a blog and to advance in sport journalism. You can email him at: obimartins85 [at] gmail.com
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The news of the ban of NFF might have stunned many Nigerians but it didn’t take many sports analysts by surprise after the Federal Government placed a probe on NFF.
The FIFA Emergency Committee decided to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with immediate effect, on account of government interference.
Article 13, par. 1 and article 17, par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes oblige member associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties.
The suspension of Nigeria from international football by FIFA will have many implications on the development of the game in the country.
* No Nigerian team can compete in any international
(CAF and FIFA organised) competitions
* As a result of this decision, no team from Nigeria of
any sort (including clubs) can have any international
sporting contact (art. 14 par. 3 of the FIFA Statutes).
* 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 15 July 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.
The decision to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) follows a letter sent by FIFA to the NFF on 4 July 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 26 August 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. As a result of this decision, no team from Nigeria of any sort (including clubs) can have any international sporting contact (art. 14 par. 3 of the FIFA Statutes).
