NFF Crisis: FIFA threatens to ban Nigeria
Tue Apr 12, 2016 12:40:pm Sports
3K By sosa hills
World football-governing body, FIFA, yesterday threatened to wield the big stick on Nigeria if the court ruling on Friday nullifying the September 30, 2014 election which ushered in Amaju Pinnick board into office was implemented.
In a letter signed by the Acting Secretary General of FIFA, Markus Kattner and titled: "Verdict of the Jos Federal High Court" and addressed to President of NFF, Pinnick, FIFA acknowledged receipt of correspondent from the NFF dated April 8,and warned of the consequences of third party interference in the affairs of NFF, noting that the decision of the Federal High Court in Jos, if implemented, would likely be considered as an interference in the internal affairs of the Nigeria Football Federation with severe consequences which would include suspension from all football activities.
"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," part of the letter from FIFA read.
FIFA also noted with concern that the plaintiff, in question, had already lost an appeal on the same matter filed with the highest judicial sport authorities, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and that the said appeal was dismissed by the CAS on May 18, 2015.
Nigerian football will be hard hit if FIFA makes good its threat to sanction the country. Some of the implications would mean outright ban from all football competitions, including the 2016 Olympics which the national U-23, the Dream Team VI, have qualified to play; 2018 World Cup qualifiers, the Super Falcons from the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations in Cameroun. Also to be affected is Enyimba's participation in the CAF Champions League.
The body of the letter which was copied to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reads: "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 Iike 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 Iaw 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 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."
In a letter signed by the Acting Secretary General of FIFA, Markus Kattner and titled: "Verdict of the Jos Federal High Court" and addressed to President of NFF, Pinnick, FIFA acknowledged receipt of correspondent from the NFF dated April 8,and warned of the consequences of third party interference in the affairs of NFF, noting that the decision of the Federal High Court in Jos, if implemented, would likely be considered as an interference in the internal affairs of the Nigeria Football Federation with severe consequences which would include suspension from all football activities.
"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," part of the letter from FIFA read.
FIFA also noted with concern that the plaintiff, in question, had already lost an appeal on the same matter filed with the highest judicial sport authorities, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and that the said appeal was dismissed by the CAS on May 18, 2015.
Nigerian football will be hard hit if FIFA makes good its threat to sanction the country. Some of the implications would mean outright ban from all football competitions, including the 2016 Olympics which the national U-23, the Dream Team VI, have qualified to play; 2018 World Cup qualifiers, the Super Falcons from the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations in Cameroun. Also to be affected is Enyimba's participation in the CAF Champions League.
The body of the letter which was copied to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reads: "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 Iike 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 Iaw 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 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."
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