Fifa rejects Nigeria’s ministerial visit offer, ban threat remains

Fifa have turned down a proposed visit by a Nigerian delegation led by sports minister Solomon Dalung to discuss problems in the country’s football federation.

The request was denied saying Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino, will be "indisposed during the proposed period."

The governing body also reminded Mr. Dalung that the only channel with which it relates to its member bodies is through the country’s football federation.

"We would Iike to emphasise that we normally communicate with and through our member associations, in this case the NFF under its Iegitimate President Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

"Consequently, we would be grateful to have any future correspondence be routed through the NFF directly," said FIFA.

Earlier this week, the world football governing boy gave Nigeria until 20 August to vacate the offices of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The west African country could be suspended from international football if it fails to comply with Fifa’s instructions by Monday.

Leadership crisis in Nigeria

Last month, Chris Giwa, founder of a rival faction in the NFF, seized control of its headquarters.

Giwa insists that he was elected NFF president in a disputed vote back in August 2014. However, Fifa recognized the victory of Amaju Pinnick as the Federation’s president.

According to Giwa, Pinnick’s election took place in contrary to laid-down regulations, reason for which he has put up a legal challenge against the Fifa-recognized NFF president, whose ruling will expire at the end of September.

Four years ago, the football’s governing body threatened to ban the country from international competitions if Giwa continued to parade himself as the NFF president.

Giwa is currently under a worldwide Fifa ban from all football activities, however, backed by the Sports Minister Solomon Dalung, he is claiming to control the NFF.

On Thursday (14 August), Fifa announced that the NFF headquarters must return to Pinnick by Monday (20 August) or the country will be suspended from all international competition.

"The suspension would only be lifted once the NFF, under Amaju Melvin Pinnick and general secretary, Mohammed Sanusi confirm that they were given back the effective control of the NFF and its offices," the governing body stated.

Giwa challenges Fifa

Giwa, speaking through his lawyer Ardzard Habilla, has said that Fifa cannot ban Nigeria over the leadership crisis in the NFF as the problem needs to be sorted internally

The factional president also challenged Fifa to carry out its threat, and argued that the governing body’s menace was a calculated attempt to subjugate the constitution of the country.

"FIFA is not supposed to interfere in domestic affairs; article 69 (2) of the NFF statutes says domestic affairs should be determined in Nigeria and FIFA jurisdiction only comes in when it involves international disputes," Giwa said through its lawyer.

"So, FIFA cannot ban Nigeria; I challenge FIFA, if they feel they are impartial in this matter, let them come to Nigeria or invite both parties to Zurich, Switzerland; that is the rule of natural justice.

"We want to know if FIFA can approbate and reprobate all at the same time.

"Do we take it that FIFA laws are superior to the judgment of the highest court in our land—the Supreme Court, and has FIFA elevated itself before the constitution of Nigeria?"