UPDATED: FIFA says Nigeria WILL be banned

The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) has warned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of an impending “suspension” should Amaju Pinnick be removed as president.

In a letter to Pinnick dated April 11, 2016, FIFA warned that last week’s decision of the federal high court in Jos, if implemented, would likely be considered a5 an interference in the internal affairs of the NFF.

“…the case would be brought to the highest authorities of FIFA for consideration of sanctions, including the suspension of the NFF,” it said.

Signed by TI. (l Markus Kattner, acting secretary-general, the letter also noted: “Lastly, we would like to Stress that the plaintiff in question already filed an appeal in relation to the same matter with the highest judicial Sport authorities, the Court that said appeal was dismissed by the CAS on 18 May 2015”.

THE FULL LETTER

By e-mail

Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick President
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)

E-mail: [email protected]
Zurich, 11 April 2016 ASG/pco

Verdict of the Jos Federal High Court
Dear President,

We acknowledge receipt of your correspondence dated 8 April 2016 with regard to the ruling of the Federal High Court in Jos which apparently nullified the elections of 30 September 2014 of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

In this respect, and first of all, we would like to remind you that according to articles 13 and 17 of the FIFA Statutes, all members associations have to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties. In addition and according to article 68 of the FIFA Statutes, recourse to ordinary courts of law is prohibited unless specifically provided for in the FIFA regulations. Furthermore, it is the duty of each member association to ensure that these provisions are implemented by its members and possibly take sanctions against those which fail to respect these obligations .

In view of the above, the decision of the Federal High Court in Jos, if implemented, would likely be considered as an interference in the internal affairs of the NFF and the case would be brought to the highest authorities of FIFA for consideration of sanctions, including the suspension of the NFF.

Lastly, we would like to stress that the plaintiff in question already filed an appeal in relation to the same matter with the highest judicial sport authorities, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and that said appeal was dismissed by the CAS on 18 May 2015.

We thank you for taking note of the above and kindly ask you to keep us informed of any development.

Yours sincerely, FIFA
Markus Kattner
Acting Secretary General