Threatening sanctions, FIFA demands Nigerian government reinstate Federation officials

The Nigerian government must reinstate the NFF (Nigeria Football Federation) to its roles before 08/07/2014 or face penalties, FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) stated in a letter to the NFF on 04/07/2014.

A regional court had ordered the dissolution of the Nigerian federation for "mismanagement" on 03/07/2014. Laurent Longyir Katken was named acting general secretary, temporarily in charge of football concerns, following the elimination of Nigeria from the round of 16 of the 2014 World Cup (2-0 defeat against France) on 30/06/2014.

The president of the NFF, Aminu Maigari, was placed in custody after failing to solve a conflict with the players regarding the payment of their bonuses on 04/07/2014. The Nigerian players had refused to train on 26/06/2014 to protest the non-payment of bonuses prior to the round of 16 fixture against France.

"FIFA will not recognise any person or organ not elected in compliance with the NFF statutes (...). If the aforementioned NFF officials are not fully reinstated by 08/07/2014, the case will be referred to the appropriate FIFA…