TheCable

The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) has ordered the Nigerian government to reinstate the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) not later than Tuesday, or the country will be banned from international and continental football.

On Thursday, minister of sport, Tammy Danagogo, appointed a sole administrator for the country’s football after a high court in Jos sacked the NFF led by Aminu Maigari.

In a letter signed by FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke, dated July 4 and addressed to NFF, president Maigari, the body made it very clear that the country stood to be banned from international football if the executive board of the NFF is not fully reinstated, the world football governing body does not recognise a sole administrator.

FIFA also maintained that the NFF must independently resolve its issues without influence from third parties, such as the court and government.

“If the aforementioned NFF officials are not fully reinstated by Tuesday, July 8, 2014, we will have no choice but to refer the case to the appropriate FIFA organs for sanctions, including the suspension of the NFF,” the letter read in part.

“We would like to underline the dire effects a suspension have on Nigerian football.  It would for instance mean that no team from Nigeria of any sort (including clubs) could have any international sporting contacts (art 14 par. 3 of FIFA statutes).

“But it would also mean that neither the NFF nor any of its members or officials could benefit from any development programme, course or training from FIFA or CAF any longer.”

The letter, which was copied the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said the extraordinary congress reportedly fixed for Abuja on Saturday is null and void.  An elective congress has been fixed for August 26 and FIFA have said only the results from this congress will be accepted.