Chris Maduewesi
Member
Since last week,Nigerian football has been in turmoil with FIFA placing the country on an indefinite suspension after a court ruling in Jos sacked the executives members of the NFF.
FIFA gave Nigeria a one-week ultimatum to upturn the court decision or face a bigger ban from world football.
Among the reasons FIFA gave: it was deemed that 'government was interfering' in the administration of football in the country.
A Nigerian delegate was in Brazil to disprove that,but after the FIFA one-week suspension came,the NFF has been asked by the Federal Government to go and source for their own money.
According to Vanguard Sports, "an official at the Sport Ministry said the National Sports Commission (NSC) deemed the action necessary as the Nigerian Government wants to avoid accusations of interference in the administration of football in the country by the world football governing body, FIFA."
With the NFF totally dependent on the government for funds,the implications are that 1) the Under-17 national team,Golden Eaglets are now in limbo over their qualifiers with a game against Congo DR coming up this weekend.
2) Nigeria's under-20 team ,Falconets are preparing for the World Cup in Canada next month,and without money they could be forced not to participate.
“The immediate casualties will be the Under-17 team and the Female under-20 team but in the long run it will be a disaster for our football if Government stops giving funds to the NFF although we have sponsorship deals. But the money won’t be enough as we participate in all FIFA competitions hence we have 11 National teams to cater for,” an official was quoted to have said.