Johannesburg, June 26 (DPA) Nigeria could face a ban by world football governing body FIFA following government interference in the way football is run in the country, officials have disclosed.
The National Sports Commission (NSC), which is headed by Sports Minister Ibrahim Bio, had on the eve of the World Cup kick-off ordered the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to suspend all electoral processes, but the Nigeria FA insisted on proceeding with a time-table for the polls.
The NFF have since informed FIFA of this direct interference by government in the running of football in Nigeria and the world football governing body has in turn warned that the country risk a ban should such meddling continue.
In a letter to the NFF signed by FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke, FIFA warned that Nigeria will be sanctioned should they establish any government interference in the running of football in the country.
On Wednesday, FIFA president Sepp Blatter turned down a request by the Nigerian sports minister to stop elections to the executive committee of the NFF slated for August 21 in Lagos.
NFF president Sani Lulu, a civil servant, is seeking re-election, along with the bulk of his executive board.
Blatter told top Nigerian officials, led by sports minister Bio in Johannesburg, that FIFA have given their blessings for the electoral process agreed by the NFF congress because it is in line with the statutes governing the running of football in Nigeria.
According to a statement signed by NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire, Blatter also used this meeting to reiterate confidence in the leadership of the Nigeria FA, which has recorded several achievements on and off the field since it was elected in August 2006.
Blatter also rejected a request by Bio to hold on to the payment of the 8 million dollars to Nigeria for featuring in the first round of the 2010 World Cup.
Bio told Blatter that the government has already paid the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that sum and would prefer FIFA stay action on paying the NFF their World Cup earnings until further notice.
An official told DPA: ‘Blatter said FIFA will pay the NFF their World Cup earnings as and when due.’
