Factional President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chris Giwa, says he is the lawfully recognised leader to welcome FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, when he visits the country.
The Amaju Pinnick led NFF, which is recognised by the international football community, had made a major breakthrough by persuading the Italian-Swiss administrator to visit West Africa for the first time.
Infantino, alongside General Secretary, Fatma Samoura, are expected in Nigeria on a two-day working visit starting from July 24.
And Giwa, while inaugurating his board members for the various Nigerian leagues in Abuja on Thursday, said he, not Pinnick, deserves to meet with Infantino.
“The issue of who invites or who did not invite the FIFA president does not arise,” the embattled football administrator said.
“All we are waiting for is to receive him if he is coming into our country.”
The Jos-born legal practitioner claimed to have received a Federal High Court order to take over the Glass House despite losing several appeals at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
For this reason, he believes he should be the one to welcome the FIFA delegation.
“We are people that abide by the rule of law and constitution,” added Giwa, who Wednesday appointed, Salisu Yusuf, as Super Eagles coach.
“I am sure that the FIFA president also believes in the constitution of his own country and the constitution of FIFA too.
“So, once he comes in, the man known by the laws of the land should be the one to receive him.”
