8th July, 2014
World football governing body FIFA on Monday stopped the inauguration of two strategic committees purportedly set up as the country now awaits a ban following government’s direct interference in the running of football.
The inauguration of the electoral and appeal committees purportedly set up by an “NFF congress” on Saturday was stopped by FIFA.
The event was scheduled for 2 p.m. at the FIFA Goal Project Technical Centre in Abuja, but it was hurriedly called off even after all arrangements had been concluded.
However, an official who has been involved in the developments of the past few days told AfricanFootball.com: “I gave them a professional advice to suspend the inauguration of the committees. It will now hold on a later date.”
He further said: “Government is interested in this matter.”
FIFA have given Nigeria till today to reinstate the Aminu Maigari-led NFF executive committee or face a ban from international football.
The African U-17 qualifier involving Nigeria and DR Congo billed for July 20 will be the immediate casualty of a FIFA ban as four-time world champions Nigeria will be walked over in Kinshasa were the ban to be in place.
The country’s female U20 team have jetted out of the country, but they would also not feature at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Canada were a ban in place.
The Super Eagles will begin the defence of their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title in September.
Meanwhile, the Jos High Court, which sacked the NFF executive committee and congress last week, will begin hearing on a case initiated by the wife of former premier league boss Rumson Baribote on Friday. The NFF have already put their legal defence.