By Andrew Warshaw
July 3 – No sooner has the national team returned from the World Cup after exiting at the group stage than Nigerian football has been plunged into crisis off the field over the presidency of the federation (NFF).
In what appears to be an orchestrated coup that will surely not go down well with FIFA, the Nigerian government has reportedly installed Chris Giwa and sacked Amaju Pinnick (pictured) following a court ruling which effectively overthrew the Pinnick-led regime.
In a swift reaction Pinnick insisted that he was still the president of the NFF declaring that the directive by Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung for Giwa to take over is null and void.
Speaking through NFF lawyer Festus Keyamo, Pinnick argued that court orders are non-binding.
“The attention of our clients has been drawn to a statement purportedly issued at the behest of the Minister of Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung, directing the NFF to comply with certain court orders effecting a change of leadership in the NFF,” said a statement.
“Our clients wish to alert the general public and the authorities in Nigeria that the so-called directive by the Minister of Sports is null, void and of no effect for the following reasons.
“Whilst our clients respect the sanctity of court orders, unfortunately the said court orders are not binding on FIFA, the World Football Governing Body. The NFF is an affiliate of FIFA. It should be noted that FIFA has consistently maintained that this same matter has been taken to the highest Court of Sports Arbitration in Switzerland by these same individuals and they have lost. FIFA is only bound by the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sports and does not entertain or tolerate decisions by local courts in footballing nations worldwide. Hence, FIFA has since upheld the decision of the Court of Arbitration on this matter and recognized the NFF Board led by Amaju Pinnick. Nigeria has a duty to comply with that decision.
“The end result is that Chris Giwa and his so-called Board members do not have any locus standi with regards to footballing matters and the Federal Government cannot have any dealing with them on any footballing matter.
The long-running dispute over who is in charge of the NFF dates back to 2014 but FIFA has endorsed Pinnick’s right to be in charge leaving Giwa to battle for redress through the courts.
FIFA has previously warned Nigeria that if implemented, court rulings would likely be considered to be an interference in the NFF’s internal affairs, which could result in sanctions.
Nigeria has already been banned once temporarily for government interference four years ago after the government sacked the executive committee of the NFF. The latest dispute once again highlights the different ways football federations operate depending on their regional location.
In many countries, sports and governmental authorities are intertwined but that, in all likelihood, will not stop FIFA issuing a strong warning against the latest breach of its rules.
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