Nigeria may have participated in the last competition recognized by football’s world governing body, FIFA, if the statements from the body’s president, Gianni Infantino, are anything to go by.
Infantino spoke at Friday’s conference in Moscow, Russia, where he reviewed events at the ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup in the vast European nation.
He said: ‘‘The situation is very clear. We have statutes that there can be no interference in the running of an association. Amaji Pinnick is the president recognized by FIFA. He is the president elected by members of the NFF. And that is the end of the story. If any external body thinks they can change the situation then, of course , Nigeria risks being banned.
‘‘We have democratic processes that have to be respected. It is very clear-cut and simple. If this didn’t come clear enough, you could help us transmit that message. ’’
It remains to be seen if the government will heed FIFA’s warning by rescinding its decision on Nigeria Football Federation or wait until the body bans the country from all its competitions.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, recently ordered the Pinnick-led NFF following a Supreme Court’s verdict which returned the matter to Federal High Court in Jos for fresh hearing.
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