FIFA President Gianni Infantino has explained why Christopher Giwa can’t be recognized as the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), president.
Speaking during a press conference in Moscow, Infatino didn’t mince his words in addressing the issue.
“The situation is very clear. We have statutes, we have regulations that there can be no interference in the running of the association,” Infantino began.
“For this reason, Pinnick is working here in an official capacity. He is the president recognized by FIFA, he is the president elected by the members of the Nigeria football association and that is the end of the story.
“If any external body thinks that they can change the situation, then of course Nigeria will risk being banned as it has happened with other countries because we have processes that need to be respected.
“It is a very clear cut and simple case as far as we are concerned,” Infantino concluded, “and we have made this very clear.
“Maybe you can help us transmit it if we didn’t come across very clear enough.”
Giwa, who has been handed a worldwide ban by FIFA, claims that he was elected by the NFF Congress in August 2014.
However, FIFA has refused to recognize his election, pointing to third-party interference. Interestingly, the position of the global football regulating body has been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, (CAS), thus dismissing Giwa’s appeal.
Giwa subsequently took the issue to the Nigerian Federal court where he obtained a temporary order asking the Nigerian sports ministry to recognize him as the duly elected president pending the determination of the main case.
A court hearing earlier this week failed to resolve the issue as the case was adjourned to Tuesday, September 25.
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