Pinnick Reacts To FIFA Fine, ‘Somebody Must Be Punished’ For The ‘Grave Error’

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick says somebody must be punished after the world football governing body, FIFA, fined Nigeria N2,162, 923.

FIFA on Tuesday sanctioned Nigeria for fielding an “ineligible” Shehu Abdullahi in the match against Algeria on November 10, 2017.

The sanction is a result of Abdullahi’s failure to serve the automatic one-match ban imposed on him.

Abdullahi had received two yellow cards during the World Cup qualification.

FIFA fined the NFF the sum of CHF 6,000 (N2,162, 923), declaring the match forfeited and awarded it 3-0 in favour of Algeria.

Reacting, Pinnick, who accepted the decision, said it will not distract the NFF nor the Super Eagles as they prepare for the 2018 World Cup.

“We accept the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to fine the NFF and award the match to Algeria,” Pinnick said in a statement released by the communication department of the federation.

“However, this is a grave error and somebody must be punished.

“We apologize to Nigerians for this and assure that this will not in any way derail or even distract us in our well –laid plan to ensure that the Super Eagles have a great outing in Russia.

“At the same time, I want to assure that persons responsible for this slip would not be given just a slap on the wrist.

“We are actually looking at a re-organization of the Technical Department. The Technical Committee will henceforth play serious superintending role on all details, no matter how minute, in technical matters.

“It is important that all committees and departments at the NFF should move at the same pace as the Executive Committee.”