FIFA Lifts Nigeria’s Suspension NFF Hails Stakeholders

The executive committee of world football governing body, the international football Federation (FIFA), on Friday in Zurich, Switzerland lifted the suspension on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Tidesports source  reports that the decision was one of many decisions taken at its meeting held from Oct. 28 to Oct. 29, and chaired by FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

FIFA had on Oct. 4 suspended Nigeria from international football on the strength of what it termed “government interference,’’ while it had provisionally lifted the suspension on Oct. 8.

The football body said its decision on Friday was based on the fact that the NFF executive committee “could now work without hindrance’’.

“This is after receiving confirmation that the court actions against elected members of the NFF had ceased, and that they can now work without hindrance,’’ a statement on FIFA website said.

Tidesports source reports  that the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Nigerian football house had culminated in the striking out on Oct. 25 of the court case against the NFF Executive Committee.

The case had been instituted by the National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF), led by Harrison Jalla.

The development had paved way for the committee’s subsequent meeting on Oct. 27 and Oct. 28 at the NFF Glass House secretariat in Abuja.

NFF’s Assistant Chief Media Officer, Alhaji Abdulbaki Ibrahim, confirmed the receipt of FIFA’s letter to NFF on Friday in an interview with newsmen.

“We have received a statement from FIFA’s General Secretary, Mr Jerome Valcke, informing us of the decision, and the world football ruling body said it has taken note of recent positive developments in taking its decision.

“These positive developments had led to the re-instatement of the Acting General Secretary as well as the reversal of the idea of a 24-club Premier League season,’’ he said.

Reacting to FIFA’s lifting of the suspension, NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, said he could only express gratitude to all Nigerian football stakeholders who made the development possible.

“We are grateful, especially to the Sports Minister, Alhaji Isa Bio, the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Chief Patrick Ekeji, as well as the chairmen and members of the Sports Committees of both the Senate and House of Representatives.

“All of them played various roles in ensuring a successful resolution of the crisis,’’ he added.