FIFA hands Nigeria three-day grace

World soccer governing body FIFA has handed Nigeria a three-day grace to put her football house in order or face a lengthy ban.

FIFA in a letter addressed to NFF president, Pinnick Amaju warned that the country will face a lengthy ban from international football if by Friday (October31) those who went to court to get Amaju’s election annulled fail to withdraw the suit.

The letter made available to Daily Sunsports read in part: “We wish to inform you that if by Friday, October 31, 2014 midday Nigerian time we ve not received proof that the case in court has been definitely withdrawn and the elcted board allowed to function without hindrance, we will refer Nigeria’s case to the emergency committee for the implementation of Nigeria’s suspension.”

Meanwhile, the NFF would be in court today to begin legal battle aimed at getting a stay of execution order over the Jos High court ruling. The NFF had last week appealed the ruling of the Jos High Court arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case.

The FIFA warning came just as the warring NFF factions met  yesterday in Abuja to possibly resolve the lingering soccer crisis. The parley was said to have been deadlocked, even as the sports minister, Dr Tammy Danagogo urged those in court to withdraw their cases and seek redress at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

Danagogo’s SA Media, Patrick Omorodion in a mail sent to Daily Sunsports quoted his boss as saying: “I am calling on Nigerians to prevail on the factions in the NFF crisis to come to a round table and discuss the way forward.  They should withdraw the case they have in court as that is the only way we can avoid the threats of FIFA ban. What we advise is for matters of this nature to be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) which is the right body to hear such cases so that we avoid the threats of FIFA ban all the time.”