Nigeria threatened by FIFA with international ban again

July 31- FIFA have again warned Nigeria that they are risking suspension from international football if the Government intervene in the upcoming Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) elections.

The elections have been scheduled for August 21 and the world governing body said they must be conducted on that day.

FIFA’s warning was contained in a fax message to the acting president of the NFF, Aminu Maigari, and which was signed by FIFA deputy secretary general, Markus Kattner, while Confederation of African Football (CAF) secretary general, Mustapha Fahmy and FIFA Executive Committee member, Amos Adamu, who is from Nigeria, were copied.

The FIFA letter said: “We have learnt that the Nigerian Government authorities are meddling in the internal affairs of the NFF and that they might try to interfere with the upcoming elections of the new NFF Board.

“We refer to the removal of two state chairmen football associations by the Government authorities and to the alleged intention to postpone the elections scheduled for 21 August, 2010.

“As stated in previous correspondences, FIFA will not tolerate any governmental interference and we ask you to go strictly by the roadmap leading to the elections in accordance with the NFF statutes.

“As such, the removed State Chairmen must be reinstalled in their functions and the elections must take place on 21 August 2010 as established by the NFF Executive Committee and formally approved by the NFF Congress on 9 July 2010.

“We stress once more that NFF must manage its affairs independently and with no influence from third parties in compliance with article 13 par. 1g and article 17 of the FIFA Statutes.

“If these conditions are not met, the NFF will be sanctioned according to article 13 par. 3 of the FIFA Statutes.

“For this reason, we kindly ask you to take all relevant steps with government officials in order to avoid a potential crisis and its adverse consequences on the football activities in Nigeria.”

FIFA were referring to the two Football Association chairmen, Reuben Mannok of Plateau FA and Taiwo Odebunmi of Ekiti State who were reportedly impeached recently.

Odebunmi said in Abuja: ”Some people tried to do that [impeach him] but it wasn’t successful.

“So I can tell you that I am still in charge.

“No hassles.”

Nigeria only recently avoided a FIFA suspension after the President Goodluck Jonathan imposed a two-year ban on the country’s participation in international football following their disappointing performance at the World Cup in South Africa.