Hayatou Says FIFA is Tired of NFF’s Leadership Troubles as Ban Hangs over Nigeria
The President of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, Issa Hayatou, has revealed that the football world, especially the Federation of International Football Associations, FIFA, is tired of the Nigeria Football Federation’s never-ending crises after newly-elected president, Amaju Pinnick, was sacked by a court declaring Chris Giwa the rightful leader.
Hayatou, who held a meeting with the Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo; Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Namibia, Ambassador Biodun Olorunfemi; Nigeria’s Deputy President of the CAF Appeal Board, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam; CAF General Coordinator, Mr. Paul Bassey and CAF Media Committee Member, Aisha Falode, said:
“I had to plead passionately with FIFA President, Mr. Sepp Blatter not to take action on Nigeria on Friday, because Nigeria was in the final of the African Women Championship and a ban on your country would have been bad for the competition and our sponsors. We all heard the news of the court ruling on Thursday, and the football world is angry with Nigeria. That is the truth.
“The FIFA letter that came to your Federation before the elections of September 30 was very clear about an automatic suspension should there be any interference with the political process, and after the elections went ahead, we all thought you had settled your issues.
“I appealed to FIFA to give until Monday for Nigeria to put its act together. After that, there is absolutely nothing I can do. It is all very disappointing because we have over 50 National Associations in Africa, but a big country like Nigeria is the one always giving us the biggest headache.
“Nigeria signed to be part of the football world by joining FIFA, and opted to abide by the FIFA–approved Statutes that you have. How many times do we have to tell your country that football matters are not taken to civil courts? If Nigeria no longer wants to be part of the football world, then so be it.”
Falode, in her address, urged the Nigerian Government to intervene before the country is banned from football.
“The future of millions of Nigerian youth is being put at risk by some persons who feel they have nothing to lose in the case of a FIFA ban. It is now for the Government to wade in. If we get suspended from international football now, FIFA will not revisit the matter until their 65th Congress on May 29, 2015. That would be too bad for our country’s football.”
