How FIFA ban will affect Nigeria

Nigeria is on the verge of receiving a ban from FIFA, after the president of the world football governing body, Gianni Infantino, on Friday insisted that Amaju Pinnick is the recognised president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). 

The leadership tussle in the NFF between Pinnick and Chris Giwa continued this week, as the court on Tuesday, failed to stop Giwa from occupying Glass House as requested by Pinnick.

The development was sequel to the inability of Pinnick’s legal team, to press for the vacation of ex-parte order of the court, which recognised Giwa as the authentic president of NFF.

FIFA statutes state clearly, that member states should “manage their affairs independently with no influence from third parties”.

The world governing body has previously warned Nigeria that if implemented, court rulings would likely be considered to be an interference in the NFF’s internal affairs, which could attract sanctions.

Nigeria has previously been banned for government interference in the running of the NFF.

Any ban now will affect the country’s U-20 team, currently preparing for the U-20 World Cup in France in August.

The Super Eagles also begin the qualifying campaign for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in September.