FIFA Ban On Nigeria Is Wrong, Amiesimaka Declares
Former Nigeria international, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, has expressed shock over FIFA's suspension of Nigeria from international football.
The world football governing body placed a ban on Nigeria on Wednesday, 9 July, 2014 after it had sent a letter to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) last week over a court order preventing NFF's president Aminu Maigari from running football in the country.
"As a result of this decision, no team from Nigeria of any sort (including clubs) can have any international sporting contact.
"During the period of suspension, the NFF may not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, or in friendly matches,” FIFA announced on Wednesday.
However, for the ban to be lifted, FIFA clearly outlined the prerequisites as follows:
"The suspension will be lifted once the court actions have been withdrawn and the properly elected NFF Executive Committee, the NFF general assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without any interference in their affairs."
* Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka
Reacting on the development, Amiesimaka, who was part of the Nigeria squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980, said that the FIFA’s ruling is flawed.
“FIFA is probably not well-informed. Wasn't it reported that Congress of the body dissolved it in accordance with FIFA-approved statutes?
“Regarding earlier reported court order, FIFA can't query due obedience and compliance. After all, FIFA itself is subject to jurisdiction of Court of Arbitration for Sports (Cas) which is itself subject to jurisdiction of Swiss judicial system even on sport-related matters especially on public policy, fair hearing, and Jurisdiction,” Amiesimaka, popularly referred to as the Chief Justice of Nigerian football, told Supersport.com.
He further argued that FIFA cannot accused Nigeria of government interference “on account of supremacy of the constitution, separation of powers, and rule of law.”
The former footballer now a trained lawyer, described the suspension of Nigeria from football related event with the committee of nations as “blackmail.”
Amiesimaka, however, posited that the FIFA ban could act as a catalyst to change football administration in Nigeria for good.
“Order of court can't therefore be said to be government interference on account of supremacy of the constitution, separation of powers, and rule of law.
“Government can and should demand accountability for disbursed public funds. On no account should Nigeria succumb to blackmail from any source.
“If FIFA disregards lawful action and insists on suspension so be it. It could be needed impetus to compel overdue restructuring of our football,” he said.
In a related development, Nigeria has started suffering the effect of the FIFA ban less than 24 hours after the world football governing body announced the suspension.
According to some reports published on Thursday, 10 July, 2014, the country's Under-20 women's team, the Falconets, have been denied approval to go on a training tour of Canada ahead of next month's FIFA U-20 World Cup holding in Canada.
The team is reported to be stranded in their hotel in Abuja as they hope for a quick removal of the suspension before the football showpiece kicks off in less than a month's time.
Source: Legit.ng
