Nigeria's
government has been set a deadline of Tuesday to restore the leadership
of the Nigerian Football Federation to their position or the country
could be suspended from playing in international competitions.
"FIFA
has learnt from various sources that the Nigerian Football Federation
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," said a
FIFA statement. It said it had also taken note of the detention of NFF president Aminu Maigari, although he has since been released.
"FIFA has reminded the NFF that all FIFA member associations have to manage their affairs independently and without influence of any third parties.
"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," the statement added.
The
Plateau State High Court in Jos earlier this week ordered the dismissal
of the federation leadership, granting an injunction restraining them
running the affairs of football in the country.
It
was not made clear who brought the injunction and why. Sports Minister
Tammy Danagogo then appointed Lawrence Longyir Katken as acting
Secretary General of the NFF.
He
has since called an extraordinary meeting of the general assembly of
the NFF in Abuja on Saturday where all the chairman and secretaries of
the Football Associations of Nigeria's 36 states are expected to attempt
to vote in a new leadership.
But
FIFA warned this would not be tolerated. Suspension for Nigeria would
affect participation by its national team, junior and club sides in
international competition.
The
ructions in the running of Nigerian football come just days after the
country was eliminated from the World Cup by France on Monday. Nigeria
were one of only two African countries to get past the group phase and
into the last 16.
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