Pinnick is NFF president, FG tells FIFA

The Federal Government of Nigeria has told the world football governing body that it recognizes Mr. Amaju Pinnick as the chairperson of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

This is coming after FIFA had given the country until Monday, August 20, to resolve the crisis rocking the football house in Abuja or face an international ban.

“The FG has already conveyed to FIFA its firm position recognizing Amaju Pinnick-led NFF as the current & only NFF Exco.,” tweeted Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity to Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

“Govt will also continue to work with all relevant stakeholders involved to resolve dispute in a timely manner. FG is upholding NFF treaty obligations to FIFA,” he added.

The FG has already conveyed to FIFA its firm position recognizing Amaju Pinnick-led NFF as the current & only NFF Exco. Govt will also continue to work with all relevant stakeholders involved to resolve dispute in a timely manner. FG is upholding NFF treaty obligations to FIFA

— Laolu Akande (@akandeoj) August 20, 2018

However, FIFA’s statement was clear on how Nigeria can avert the ban, which is for the recognized leadership of the Glass House to confirm that they have been given back the control over Nigeria football.

“In the event, the NFF offices are not handed back to the legitimate NFF under President Amaju Melvin Pinnick by Monday, 20 August, 2018 at 12.00 (CET), the NFF will be suspended with immediate effect for contravening binding obligations of the FIFA statues.

“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 statement read.

Until now, neither Pinnick nor Sanusi has made a statement concerning the issue. And FIFA is yet to make a statement either, and it is past the stated time in the ultimatum.

This could mean that Nigeria has averted the ban.

 

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