African champions, Nigeria, could come under an
international suspension from the world football
governing body, Fifa.
This follows an order from a High Court in Jos,
Plateau State restraining the Nigeria Football
Federation [NFF] headed by Aminu Maigari, to
control, command or manage football matters in
the country pending the hearing on the Motion of
Notice on July 11.
The order from the court to Maigari and other
NFF executive committee members to step aside
comes just days after the Super Eagles saw their
Fifa World Cup ambition end with a 2-0 defeat to
France.
The latest scenario is a deja vu of a 2010 episode
when the NFF was dissolved by the Nigerian
government.
Fifa did write to the Nigerian government to
reverse its decision as it frowns at government
intervention in running the sport.
The Nigerian government later rescinded its
decision to remove its country's football
managers. It also set aside the withdrawal of its
national teams from international football for two
years.
In the wake of the court order, the Nigeria sports
minister, Tamuno Danagogo, appointed Lawrence
Katken as sole administrator as the High Court
instructed in its injunction this week.
There are now fears that Fifa's suspension looms
on the African champions since the world football
governing body prohibits any government
intervention with its member association.
As at Friday, the NFF president, Maigari, had
allegedly been picked up by security operatives for
questioning and later released while the football
federation's office in the country's capital, Abuja,
was under strict surveillance by security men.
by ROTMANLUV 2023-07-08, 17:34
