FIFA threatens to sanction Nigeria again

Football governing body FIFA has handed the Chris Giwa-led board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) a deadline of “midnight on Monday, September 1, 2014” to vacate the Glass House.

In a letter to the NFF general secretary, Musa Amadu, on Friday, FIFA stated that it would “not recognise the outcome” of the elections that brought Giwa and his executive committee into office.

The apex body also made it clear in the letter signed by Secretary-General Jerome Valcke that it would sanction the NFF and that includes suspending Nigeria from every international football games and events if Giwa and his motley crew do not vacate office.

“We understand from the sequence of events that the general assembly duly convened by the NFF Executive Committee could not start as planned because some NFF members, including the president, were being held by security forces for questioning.

“Finally, we have learnt that the persons who claim to have been duly elected during the so-called ‘elective general assembly’ have come to the NFF offices claiming to be the legitimate president and members of the NFF. It also appears the ministry of sports has recognised them.

“As a consequence, we will not recognise the outcome of the above mentioned elections and should there still be persons claiming to have been elected and occupying the NFF offices at midnight Monday September 1, 2014, we will bring the case to the appropriate FIFA body for sanctions, which may include suspension of the NFF.”

FIFA only recently lifted a suspension on the country on July 18 after Aminu Maigari was impeached in what the world football governing saw as government interference.

The August 26 congress of the NFF was meant to be a gathering for the release of a new roadmap for elections into the football federation, but that agreement was breached after one faction emerged with Giwa being elected as the federation’s president and the other faction loyal to Maigari was not part of the general assembly.

However, Giwa has said that the new board’s position will convince FIFA, saying that the NFF will relay a detailed and convincing response to the world body on Monday morning.

“We have seen the letter from FIFA and digested the full content of it. Nothing has changed, as far as we are concerned. We will present our position to FIFA by Monday morning and they will be convinced beyond any reasonable doubt,” Giwa said.

“We call on Nigerians not to panic. The NFF is not intimidated and we do not expect any sanction because we have done the appropriate thing. For us, it is not about noise -making. FIFA has admitted in its letter that the General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of any association/federation. That is perfect.”

Giwa recalled that at its 69th meeting on Thursday November 28, 2013, the General Assembly of Nigeria Football Federation had  decided that elective Congress would take place on August 26, 2014

“If FIFA admits that the General Assembly is the highest decision-making body, and the highest decision-making resolved at their meeting in 2013 that elections would take place on August 26, 2013, no other body can change that decision. Certainly, the NFF Executive Committee is not qualified to change that decision.

“FIFA talked about some persons walking away from the congress as a result of the fact that some persons were arrested. We were not aware of that. The congress went ahead and moved a motion to hold elections same day, in deference to the decision of General Assembly of November 28, 2013, and the motion was seconded and there was no counter motion.

“There is absolutely nothing to fear. Our response is ready. FIFA will receive position of the federation and will be convinced that elections have, indeed, taken place.”