Categories: Sports

NFF President Pinnick Talks Tough, Says Statutes Violators Could Face Outright Ban

Out-going President of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick at the weekend warned that incorrigible violators of the FIFA –approved NFF Statutes risk several sanctions, which could include and may not be limited to outright ban from participation in the beautiful game.

Pinnick, who is also a Member of the CAF Executive Committee, made this statement in the light of further threats by certain forces within the football ecosystem to drag Nigeria Football to court for nothing more than peaceful conduct of the 77th Annual General Assembly that took place in Lagos on Thursday.

“I want to say that enough is enough. We have tolerated these individuals for much longer than necessary. I am leaving the position of NFF Presidency in a few weeks but I am still a Member of the FIFA Council and I can talk about Nigeria Football anywhere. It is time to call the bluff of these persons. Their actions not only malign and defame the NFF; these also de-market the NFF to a certain degree.

“If the NFF holds a General Assembly, they go to court. If the NFF does not hold, they go to court. Every single day, they want to go to court. It is their right, but it is also the right of the NFF to curtail such excesses. FIFA clearly stipulates that football matters are not meant for civil courts, and further infractions by anyone would be met with the stiffest of sanctions, including but not limited to outright ban from the game.”

Article 69 (1) of the NFF Statutes 2010 stipulates: “NFF, its members, players, officials and match and player’s agents will not take any dispute to ordinary courts unless specifically provided for in these Statutes and FIFA regulations. Any disagreement shall be submitted to the jurisdiction of FIFA, CAF, WAFU or NFF.

(2) NFF shall have jurisdiction on internal national disputes i.e, disputes between parties belonging to NFF. FIFA shall have jurisdiction on international disputes, i.e, disputes between parties belonging to different Associations and/or Confederations.”

It would be recalled that the 77th Annual General Assembly of the NFF was delayed for eight months because some persons went to court to secure an ex parte injunction, stopping the event from holding as scheduled on 17th December 2021.

NFF

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Okpebholo: Obaseki Frustrating Handing Over Power To Me

Senator Okpebholo has accused Obaseki of attempting to frustrate a peaceful power transfer and making…

11 hours ago

Tens of Thousands Protest In Valencia Over Floods, Demand Resignation Of Regional Leader Carlos Mazón

Valencia’s citizens are protesting and demanding accountability after the deadly floods, criticising regional head Carlos…

16 hours ago

Qatar Suspends Mediation Efforts in Israel-Hamas Talks Amid Escalating Tensions, Diplomatic Frustrations

Qatar has suspended its mediation role in Israel-Hamas talks, citing lack of willingness from both…

16 hours ago

Ukrainian War: Varsity Don Asks UN, Others to Stop Russia from Alleged Recruitment of Nigerian Women

A Nasarawa professor Akyala has urged the UN to condemn Russia’s alleged illegal human labour…

17 hours ago

Trump Wins All Swing States, With Arizona Win Projected In 2024 US Election Victory

Trump has been projected to win Arizona, completing a sweep of all seven swing states

17 hours ago

Equatorial Guinea’s Baltasar Remanded in Prison over 400 Sex Tapes Scandal

Equatorial Guinea’s former anti-graft chief Engonga has been jailed in for allegedly recording over 400…

17 hours ago