FIFA gives Nigeria ultimatum
Source: Agencies |
July 3, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
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NIGERIA will not reverse a decision to withdraw the national soccer team from international competition despite the threat of suspension from FIFA, a Nigerian presidency source said yesterday.
Soccer's world governing body had earlier issued an ultimatum warning that the Nigerian Football Federation would be barred from all FIFA-related activities if the government did not agree to change its decision by Monday evening.
"Mr President will not rescind the decision because it's the best decision for football development in Nigeria," a presidency source said.
"Mr President and his team had weighed the consequences of this decision and arrived at this decision as in the interest of the nation. We need to restructure and reorganize our football for effective and commendable results."
The ultimatum from FIFA came after Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan withdrew the Super Eagles from international competition for two years on Wednesday. It followed the team's poor World Cup performance where it was out in the first round.
"FIFA will today send a letter to the Nigerian football federation indicating that the government of Nigeria has until Monday 6pm to cancel its decision to withdraw Nigeria's participation in all FIFA and CAF organized football competitions," FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said.
Nigeria risks getting cut-off from all FIFA activities and also FIFA funding to the football association.
Larry Izamoje, a veteran sports broadcaster and member of the presidential taskforce charged with preparing Nigeria for the World Cup, said the Nigerian federation had not used money given to it by FIFA appropriately.
"FIFA's US$1 million was used for things that did not benefit the team in terms of preparation," he said.
Izamoje also criticized FIFA president Sepp Blatter for his handling of the situation. "Blatter comes into any country, goes straight to the head of state, seeks governmental powers to host his competitions, and when things go wrong and government wants to correct, he comes with his hammer," he said.
Soccer's world governing body had earlier issued an ultimatum warning that the Nigerian Football Federation would be barred from all FIFA-related activities if the government did not agree to change its decision by Monday evening.
"Mr President will not rescind the decision because it's the best decision for football development in Nigeria," a presidency source said.
"Mr President and his team had weighed the consequences of this decision and arrived at this decision as in the interest of the nation. We need to restructure and reorganize our football for effective and commendable results."
The ultimatum from FIFA came after Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan withdrew the Super Eagles from international competition for two years on Wednesday. It followed the team's poor World Cup performance where it was out in the first round.
"FIFA will today send a letter to the Nigerian football federation indicating that the government of Nigeria has until Monday 6pm to cancel its decision to withdraw Nigeria's participation in all FIFA and CAF organized football competitions," FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said.
Nigeria risks getting cut-off from all FIFA activities and also FIFA funding to the football association.
Larry Izamoje, a veteran sports broadcaster and member of the presidential taskforce charged with preparing Nigeria for the World Cup, said the Nigerian federation had not used money given to it by FIFA appropriately.
"FIFA's US$1 million was used for things that did not benefit the team in terms of preparation," he said.
Izamoje also criticized FIFA president Sepp Blatter for his handling of the situation. "Blatter comes into any country, goes straight to the head of state, seeks governmental powers to host his competitions, and when things go wrong and government wants to correct, he comes with his hammer," he said.
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