FIFA May Ban Nigeria after Sack of NFF President
Nigeria risks an international ban after flaunting a FIFA rule that forbids government officials from interfering with its sporting activities.
The rule was broken on Thursday when sports minister, Tammy Danagogo muted idea of a sole administrator for the football Association. The President of the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, Aminu Maigari and his executive committees, were sacked by a Plateau state High court on Thursday. The Minister thereby appointed Lawrence Katiken to manage the affairs of the federation. The Super Eagles, Nigerian team was unable to progress past the round of 16, after a late 2-0 defeat to France.
The Department of State Security Service also arrested Maigari in the early hours of Friday morning as he arrived Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while leading the Super Eagles back from the World Cup.
It will be the country’s second time of ignoring the rule by the international federation as Nigeria narrowly escaped a similar ban in 2010, after the soccer team crashed out of the World Cup at the group stages. President Goodluck Jonathan had as a result proposed the non-involvement of Nigeria in international competitions but dumped the plan when Nigeria was pardoned.
A ban by FIFA will affect the male national team, the female national team, and the developmental football also including U-15, U-17 and U-20 teams.