Pinnick- Giwa Row: FIFA Warns Nigeria Over Possible Sanction

The soccer body gave the warning via a letter signed by its acting Secretary-General, Markus Kattner, following the ruling by a Federal High Court in Jos sacking the NFF president Amaju Pinnick and installing Mr Chris Giwa.

According to Fifa, all parties have to manage their affairs independently and with no external influence, adding that according to article 68 of the FIFA Statutes, recourse to ordinary courts of law is prohibited unless specifically provided for in the FIFA regulations.

The letter dated 11 April 2016, read: “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 members 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 is 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.

“In view of the above, the decision of the Federal High Court in Jos, 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 the NFF.

“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 18 May 2015.”

The NFF has since then appealed against the court ruling, insisting that Pinnick remains the head of the football house.

The NFF headquarters was under lock and key on Monday as Giwa’s faction and all other non-NFF staff were denied access into the premises.