World football governing body, FIFA, has issued a strict warning to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to resolve its internal crisis or risk losing a place at the forthcoming World Cup.
The Super Eagles are among 32 teams to do battle in Russia but that may change if nothing is done about the leadership tussle in the Glass House,
The Nigerian football community was jolted by a Supreme Court decision on Friday directing the parties fighting for the leadership of the NFF to go back to the Jos High court to sort out the suit filed by one of the parties claiming it is the right board to lead the federation.
Following the suit filed by the group loyal to Chris Giwa, the world football governing body in 2016 banned all the parties involved in instituting the case, including Giwa, Muazu Suleiman, Effiong Johnson, Yahaya Adama and Sani Fema from all football-related activities for five years.
The world body later extended the five-year ban to a worldwide ban following the Giwa group’s decision to take their case to the CAS.
In the FIFA letter to the NFF in 2016, the world body said, “In accordance with art. 136ff of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the five-year ban from taking part in any kind of football-related activity imposed on the five officials to have worldwide effect.
“The relevant member association, as well as CAF has been duly notified of the chairman’s decision.
“Members of the media with questions relating to the substance of the decision are kindly requested to contact the NFF.”
Now the world Apex football is ready to step in to settle the rumble that has lasted almost four years.
It also reminded Nigeria that the litigants in the case were banned from all football activities and therefore should not be seen meddling or taking part in anything related to the game.
