By Albert Akota
The Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Tammy Danagogo will today receives the report of the Nigerian delegation that spoke with FIFA in Brazil about lifting the suspension placed on Nigeria by world football’s governing body.
The delegation returned to Nigeria yesterday and is expected to submit the report of their meeting with the FIFA emergency committee today to the sports minister.
No official confirmation on the outcome of their meeting with the FIFA top-shots, but top sources have informed that the issues will be resolved today albeit temporarily.
The Plateau state high court failed to sit last Friday as earlier scheduled due to an industrial strike action called by state high courts in the country, but is expected to sit today as the suit filed by Mrs. Ebiakpo Rumson-Baribote against the Nigeria football federation is heard.
But sources have informed that negotiations are already underway with Mrs. Baribote, whose husband, Victor Rumson-Baribote is serving a fifteen year ban imposed by the embattled board of the Nigeria football federation, to withdraw the suit.
“Mrs. Baribote has agreed to withdraw the suit, but is asking for the 15-year ban on her husband to be lifted, and for him to be reinstated as second vice president of the NFF,” one source said.
“The suit will most likely be withdrawn today, and (Aminu) Maigari and his board will be reinstated but that will not be the end. This move is only to comply with FIFA’s directive, and get the suspension lifted,” another source said.
Reports also gathered that FIFA were marvelled at the corruption accusations and documents presented against the Aminu Maigari board by the Nigerian delegation but informed the delegates that the NFF board still has to be reinstated for the suspension to be lifted.
FIFA is said to have however also told the delegates that once reinstated, the board can then be removed ‘in a proper manner.’
Nigeria has got until Tuesday July, 15, to comply with FIFA’s directive, else will miss out on the FIFA women’s U20 world cup set for Canada from August 5.
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