President Goodluck Jonathan is scandalised by those who are
perpetuating crisis in Nigeria’s football and has invited President of Nigeria
Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick to know the cause of the latest problem.
The Court Of Arbitration handles disputes in football. All
affiliates of fifa abide by their rules and regulations otherwise the offending
country faces sanction.
And Nigeria has repeatedly flouted fifa rules. Last week’s
court ruling so infuriated top executives of Confederation of African Football,
Caf and Fifa that they were going to ban Nigeria just before Falcons won the
African title in Namibia on Saturday.
The minister who was in Namibia prevailed on them to give
Nigeria another chance to resolve the problem.
A football loving friend of President Jonathan who
accompanied the President on pilgrimage to Israel and who was monitoring the
goings on in Nigeria informed the President and he quickly directed that Amaju
Pinnick should see him on his return to Nigeria.
“Somebody told Mr. President in Israel and the President
frowned at the development. He has asked Amaju to come to Abuja to see him,” a
source said Sunday night. The BFF President may meet with President Jonathan
between today and tomorrow, we gathered.
Meanwhile, the case will come up in Jos tomorrow. NFF had
appealed against the ruling and the matter will be heard tomorrow. Fifa may
descend heavily on Nigeria with a ban if the court does not vacate the ruling.
Amaju is expected to send a letter to Fifa today appealing
for a 24 hour grace for the matter to be settled. And if by Wednesday morning
the court does not vacate the order Nigeria will face sanctions which is
exactly those perpetuating the crisis appear to be courting.
Ex international Victor Ikpeba yesterday appealed to sports
minister, Danagogo to be firm and save
Nigeria’s football. He said that Chris
Giwa, the man who took football matter to court did not care about Nigeria’s
football otherwise he would have respected the full congress that elected the
Amaju Pinnick board. In the congress that the minister once initiated delegates
walked out and a kangaroo election was said to have elected him.
Fifa did not recognise the election. But Giwa has not given
up, disturbing the peace of Nigerian football and now attracting the attention
of President Jonathan who will likely be decisive on these matters.
Issa Hayatou, the Caf President said Sunday that the world
was fed up with Nigeria’s shameful actions in football.
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