NFF crisis: Minister dismisses threat of FIFA ban

The Minister of Sports, Tammy Danagogo, on Tuesday in Abuja dismissed speculations of Nigeria’s impending ban by the world football governing body FIFA  due to alleged “government interference.”

Danagogo told newsmen there was no threat of an impending ban by FIFA because it was aware of recent happenings in Nigerian football.

A High Court on Wednesday in Jos had granted an order of interlocutory injunction restraining some NFF members from running Nigeria’s football affairs forthwith.

The members included the then NFF Chairman, Aminu Maigari, as well as the association’s board members, and the NFA Congress.

Danagogo, acting on the court’s directive had appointed Lawrence Katken, the most senior civil servant in the NFF, as the Acting Secretary-General, pending the determination of the suit.

Consequently, FIFA on Friday sent a warning letter to the NFF, saying its affiliates had to manage their affairs without “third party influence.”

The letter read in part “if the NFF officials are not fully reinstated by July 8, the case would be referred to the appropriate FIFA bodies for sanctions, including Nigeria’s potential suspension.”

 However, while reacting to speculations that FIFA would ban Nigeria on Tuesday, the minister was insistent that nothing of such would happen.

“What I am aware of is that FIFA has not threatened to ban Nigeria. What I am aware of is that they (FIFA) said they are aware of what is happening in Nigeria.

“And what that means is that they have heard what happened, and they are expecting the parties involved, that is, the stakeholders in the football family, to brief them.

“As a government, we are doing everything possible to ensure that there is peace, that there is no breakdown of law and order and that our football continues to make progress.

“And I can assure Nigerians that we have very good intentions and, at the end of the day, Nigerians will be happy,’’ he said.

The minister however said it was untrue that he was in Brazil with some officials of the National Sports Commission to mediate with the leadership of FIFA.

“Normally, as a Minister of Sports from a country like Nigeria that is so much in love with football, we cannot do without meeting FIFA.

“So, in the course of time, I may certainly meet with FIFA. But, right now, I am around (in Nigeria) trying to ensure that everything is going on well.

“The parties involved will go and brief FIFA first and, if I am coming in, I am coming in not as one of the disputants, but as the Minister of Sports.

“Let the disputing parties do their briefings and, in fullness of time, I will be able to relate with FIFA.

“I will relate and agree with them on the possible ways forward. That is if there are grey areas. But, if there is no grey area, I will not need to see them.