FIFA orders Nigeria to reinstate Maigari’s NFF Board before Tuesday or …

World football governing body, FIFA, Friday ordered the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to reinstate the Aminu Maigari-led board of the federation on or before Tuesday or face dire consequences.

 In a letter signed by FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, and made available to The Guardian, the body told the NFF board to remind the Nigerian government that it does not allow third party interference in football matters, adding that it does not recognise any decision by ‘any extraordinary congress.’

  The board of the NFF was on Thursday sacked by a Jos High Court, prompting the Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo, to set up an interim management committee, led by Lawrence Katken, to oversee the affairs of the federation until the issues in the suit come up for hearing on July 11.

  FIFA had on enquiry yesterday told The Guardian that it was yet to get details of the latest crisis in Nigerian football, before coming out with the letter warning the country of the consequences of the court’s action.

  The letter addressed to NFF President, Aminu Maigari and entitled, ‘Interference in the internal affairs of the Nigeria Football Federation,’ reads in part:  “We have learnt from various sources, and notably Nigerian newspapers, that different actions were taken with regard to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) which are worrisome.

  “We understand that the NFF has been served with court processes and that consequently an order restraining the President of the NFF, his executive committee members and the NFF congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football has been granted by a High Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  “We also take note of your detention carried out by representatives of the Department of Security Service and the latter is looking for other members of the NFF. We notice as well that the Minister of Sport has appointed an assistant director to take charge of the NFF. Finally, it is alleged that the members of the NFF have been convened top attend an Extraordinary Congress on July 5 2014 in Abuja.

  “In this regard, we would like to remind you that all FIFA members associations have to manage their affairs independently and without influence of any third parties as clearly stipulated in articles 13, par. 1 and 17, par. 1 of FIFA Statutes. Therefore, the above mentioned actions are preventing the NFF from managing its affairs independently and are considered by FIFA as undue interference in the NFF affairs.”

  FIFA said the body would not recognise “any person or organ not elected in compliance with the NFF statutes (article 17, par. 2 and 3 of the FIFA statutes and therefore, will not consider the appointment made by the Minister of Sports.”

  It added that the NFF president should inform “the relevant authorities that if the aforementioned NFF officials are not fully reinstated by Tuesday July 8 2014, we will have no choice but to refer the case to the appropriate FIFA organs  for sanctions, including the suspension of the NFF.”

  The letter lists the effects of the suspension to include that no Nigerian team could have any international sporting contact, as well as neither the NFF nor any of its members or officials could benefit from any development programme, course or training from FIFA or CAF.