FIFA Writes NFF Over Suspension ThreatThe world football governing body, FIFA, has finally contacted the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, after its ultimatum to suspend the country from all its football related activities expired on Monday, 8 September, 2014. Nigeria was given until Monday morning for a rival faction to relinquish control of the NFF and for its beleaguered president Aminu Maigari and his staff to be allowed back to their posts after having seen off two attempted bids to sweep them from office over the last months. According to a letter FIFA sent to the NFF on Tuesday, 9 September, 2014, made available to the media, the football governing body stated that it accepted matters had returned to normal and would not be punishing the country. This latest development would bring huge relief to Nigerian as the Super Eagles have a crucial African Nations Cup qualifier against South Africa in Cape Town on Wednesday. Had they been suspended on Monday, Nigeria would have forfeited the match and been disqualified, leaving them unable to defend their Nations Cup crown. The NFF was given the ultimatum last week after Maigari was voted out of office through an election not recognised by FIFA. “We noted the return to normalcy in the Nigerian Football Federation and compliance with conditions prescribed by the Emergency Committee of FIFA. The NFF is accordingly not suspended,” said the letter signed by FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke. “This return to normality, as indicated in the correspondence from the President of the Nigerian federation to FIFA in a letter on September 8, has been noted together with the reinstatement and return to work, without hindrance, at the association headquarters in Abuja of the NFF president and staff. “FIFA, however, have called for new elections and warned that “should the electoral process be affected by any interference or occurrence or any mishap, the case would be referred again – and without prior notice or warning – to the appropriate FIFA bodies for immediate suspension of the NFF until the next FIFA Congress.” Super Eagles players with Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State after winning the 2013 AFCON in South Africa. Super Eagles players with Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State after winning the 2013 AFCON in South Africa. It would be recalled that the disputed elections last month saw Chris Giwa chosen as new presidentt while Maigari was arrested during the poll by the police. An occurrence that led FIFA threatened to suspend Nigeria from all its football related activities unless Giwa stops parading himself as NFF president and vacates the secretariat of the NFF in Abuja. A condition Giwa refused to comply with until Monday. Amid the uncertainty at the weekend, Nigeria lost to Congo in their opening Nations Cup qualifier for their first home defeat in a competitive match in 33 years.

The world football governing body, FIFA, has finally contacted the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, after its ultimatum to suspend the country from all its football related activities expired on Monday, 8 September, 2014.

Nigeria was given until Monday morning for a rival faction to relinquish control of the NFF and for its beleaguered president Aminu Maigari and his staff to be allowed back to their posts after having seen off two attempted bids to sweep them from office over the last months.

According to a letter FIFA sent to the NFF on Tuesday, 9 September, 2014, made available to the media, the football governing body stated that it accepted matters had returned to normal and would not be punishing the country.

This latest development would bring huge relief to Nigerian as the Super Eagles have a crucial  African Nations Cup qualifier against South Africa in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Had they been suspended on Monday, Nigeria would have forfeited the match and been disqualified, leaving them unable to defend their Nations Cup crown.

The NFF was given the ultimatum last week after Maigari was voted out of office through an election not recognised by FIFA.

“We noted the return to normalcy in the Nigerian Football Federation and compliance with conditions prescribed by the Emergency Committee of FIFA. The NFF is accordingly not suspended,” said the letter signed by FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke.

“This return to normality, as indicated in the correspondence from the President of the Nigerian federation to FIFA in a letter on September 8, has been noted together with the reinstatement and return to work, without hindrance, at the association headquarters in Abuja of the NFF president and staff.

“FIFA, however, have called for new elections and warned that “should the electoral process be affected by any interference or occurrence or any mishap, the case would be referred again – and without prior notice or warning – to the appropriate FIFA bodies for immediate suspension of the NFF until the next FIFA Congress.”

Super Eagles players with Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State after winning the 2013 AFCON in South Africa.

It would be recalled that the disputed elections last month saw Chris Giwa chosen as new presidentt while Maigari was arrested during the poll by the police.

An occurrence that led FIFA threatened to suspend Nigeria from all its football related activities unless Giwa stops parading himself as NFF president and vacates the secretariat of the NFF in Abuja.

A condition Giwa refused to comply with until Monday.

Amid the uncertainty at the weekend, Nigeria lost to Congo in their opening Nations Cup qualifier for their first home defeat in a competitive match in 33 years.