Unless drastic steps are taken, Nigeria looks most likely to go under the FIFA hammer today. The latest fears was raised in a press statement from Ademola Olajire, the NFF Director of Media who revealed how FIFA was already getting set to wield her big stick but was prevailed upon by CAF President Isa Hayatou to wait till today before action is taken on Nigeria.
According to the press statement, the CAF supremo, at a meeting that had Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Namibia, Ambassador Biodun Olorunfemi, Nigeria’s Deputy President of the CAF Appeal Board, Amanze Uchegbulam, CAF General Coordinator, Mr. Paul Bassey and CAF Media Committee Member, Aisha Falode in attendance, said there was no going back on suspension of Nigeria this week if football matters are not withdrawn from civil courts.
“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,” an obviously exasperated Hayatou said. His French words were translated to the rest of the Nigeria delegation by the multi-lingual Paul Bassey.
The NFF Crisis turned sour when last Thursday, a Jos High Court sacked the board which was duly elected at the NFF Elective Congress in Warri on September 30.
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