The Fédération Internationale de Football Association, FIFA, yesterday threatened to sanction Nigeria if she breaches its statutes relating to dispute resolution by implementing the ruling of a court that nullified the September 30, 2014 election of the NFF.
In a letter entitled, “Verdict of the Jos High Court,” and addressed to Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, FIFA warned that the Jos Federal High Court decision, “if implemented, would likely be considered as an interference in the internal affairs of the NFF and the case would be brought to the highest authorities of FIFA for consideration of sanctions, including the suspension of country”.
The letter signed by FIFA’s acting Secretary General, Markus Kattner, reads: “We acknowledge receipt of your correspondence dated April 8, 2016 with regard to the ruling of the Federal High Court in Jos, which apparently nullified the elections of 30 September 2014 of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
“In this respect, and first of all, we would like to remind you that according to articles 13 and 17 of the FIFA Statutes, all member associations have to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties.
In addition and according to article 68 of the FIFA Statutes, recourse to ordinary courts of law was prohibited unless specifically provided for in the FIFA regulations.
“Furthermore, it is the duty of each member association to ensure that these provisions are implemented by its members and possibly take sanctions against those which fail to respect these obligations.
“Lastly, we would like to stress that the plaintiff in question already filed an appeal in relation to the same matter with the highest judicial sport authorities, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and that said appeal was dismissed by the CAS on May 18 2015.”
The body requested that the NFF keeps it abreast of any new development on the matter.
