TheCable

Amaju Pinnick has said “somebody must be punished” for the error that caused the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to be fined N2,162, 923 by FIFA.

The world football governing body sanctioned Nigeria for fielding an ineligible player — Shehu Abdullahi — for the clash against Algeria.

The match was declared forfeited and awarded in favour of Algeria, with three points deducted from Nigeria’s total tally in the World Cup qualifiers.

Reacting, Pinnick, president of the NFF, said the incident will neither affect nor distract the federation’s laid down plans for the World Cup.

“We accept the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to fine the NFF and award the match to Algeria,” Pinnick said in a statement released by the communication department of the federation.

“However, this is a grave error and somebody must be punished.

“We apologize to Nigerians for this and assure that this will not in any way derail or even distract us in our well –laid plan to ensure that the Super Eagles have a great outing in Russia.

“At the same time, I want to assure that persons responsible for this slip would not be given just a slap on the wrist.

“We are actually looking at a re-organization of the Technical Department. The Technical Committee will henceforth play serious superintending role on all details, no matter how minute, in technical matters.

“It is important that all committees and departments at the NFF should move at the same pace as the Executive Committee.”