Dalung Dares FIFA, Insists Pinnick Must Go

Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung has insisted on the Supreme Court judgment made on April 27, 2018, which ousted embattled President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday, Dalung said Chris Giwa remains the president of the NFF, a decision which could be costly for the country’s football federation.

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Recall last Friday, FIFA President, Gianni Infantino stated clearly that Pinnick is the only recognized NFF President.

“So, Pinnick is the President of NFF for FIFA, because he is the one elected,’’ Infantino said while responding to questions at a press conference in Moscow on Friday.

He further emphasized that Nigeria risk being banned by the world football governing body if it fails to resolve its leadership crisis.

“If any external body thinks that they can change the situation, then of course Nigeria will risk being banned as it has happened with other countries because we have processes that need to be respected. It’s a very clear cut and simple case. We have made this very clear,” Infantino added.

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But reacting yesterday, Dalung said FIFA is yet to contact him on their recognized choice to lead the NFF.

“FIFA has not written me that they recognise one person over the other and you know government does not operate on rumour, government is administration.

“The leadership in NFF, I think is very categorical. The Federal High court in Jos has ruled orders. I, as a co-defendant, was served with the order, ordering me to recognise Giwa as the president.

“That is the order against me and I have done that, the order to the Inspector General of police is that he should go and put Giwa in office. “The Attorney-General of the Federation has done his job. So we are living under the rule of law and we are following the rule,” Dalung said.

Pinnick was recently appointed First Vice President of the Confederation of Africa Football, CAF and was at the just concluded World Cup in official capacity.

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