FIFA warns Nigeria

By Tony Ubani
Nigeria could face a ban by world football governing body FIFA following government interference in the way football is run in the country, officials have disclosed.
Sports Minister Ibrahim Bio, had ordered the NFF to suspend all electoral processes, and also wrote FIFA asking them to stop financial dealings with NFF.
The NFF have since informed FIFA of this direct interference by government in the running of football in Nigeria and the world football governing body has in turn warned that the country risk a ban should such meddling continue.
In a letter to the NFF signed by FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke, FIFA warned that Nigeria will be sanctioned should they establish any government interference in the running of football in the country.
On Wednesday, FIFA president Sepp Blatter turned down a request by the Nigerian sports minister to stop elections to the executive committee of the NFF slated for August 21 in Lagos.
NFF president Sani Lulu, a civil servant, is seeking re-election, along with the bulk of his executive board.
Blatter told top Nigerian officials, led by sports minister Bio in Johannesburg, that FIFA have given their blessings for the electoral process agreed by the NFF congress because it is in line with the statutes governing the running of football in Nigeria.

by vanguardngr.com