FIFA President, Gianni Infantino says the world football governing body only recognises Amaju Pinnick as President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
He made the declaration on Friday while addressing a press conference in Moscow, Russia, following a court order which directed Mr. Chris Giwa to take over the leadership of the Nigerian football governing body.
“Nigeria Football Association has a president, his name is Pinnick,” said Infantino. “We have been already clear about that some time ago.”
“I heard the issue came up again, but the situation is very clear; we have statutes, we have regulations. There can be no interference in the running of the association and for this reason, Pinnick is working here in an official capacity,” he added.
The FIFA president noted that Pinnick was duly elected as NFF President in accordance with the rules of the global body.
He insisted that it is not for any other body to intervene in the matter and warned the Nigerian government that continued interference might lead to sanctions.
“For FIFA, he (Pinnick) is the president elected by the members of the Nigeria football association and that’s the end of the story,” Infantino affirmed.
“If any external body thinks that they can change the situation, then Nigeria would risk being banned like it happened in other countries because we have democratic processes and they just need to be respected.”
-Channels TV
