reportedly suspended its cooperation with the
country over the current crisis rocking the Nigeria
Football Federation, NFF.
Since the news broke last week that the president of NFF, Aminu Maigari and the entire members of his board, had been removed
by a court in Jos, peace has not returned to Nigerian
football.
According to a report published online by
Supersport.com on Monday, 7 July, 2014, the sports
wear giants have suspended it's involvement with
Nigeria with immediate effect and has also expressed
displeasure with the furore pervading the NFF.
It was gathered that Adidas, who have been kitting
Nigerian national teams for about a decade now, are also
towing the line of the world football governing body,
FIFA, who have given Nigeria a Tuesday, 8 July, 2014,
deadline to revert the decision on the removal of Maigari
or be suspended from all football activities.
It could be recalled that last week, a court injunction in
Jos, Nigeria asked the NFF to step aside, while the Sports
Ministry appointed Lawrence Katken to serve as the Sole
Administrator while new elections are conducted.
A few days later, an extra ordinary emergency congress
sat in Abuja and "unanimously endorsed" the removal of
the NFF executive committee.
It also terminated the employment of the football
federation's management staff.
Maigari was also accused of high-handedness as
members expressed their displeasure at what transpired
during the World Cup as players sat out training to
demand for their appearance fees.
An electoral committee has also been set up ahead of
elections into the NFF board.
With the decision of Adidas to suspend the NFF, critics
are already speculating other sponsors of the NFF, that
includes Adidas, Guinness, Peak Milk among others,
might tow the same line with the German Sportswear
firm, as FIFA's Tuesday deadline looms.
This is not the first time that FIFA would be threatening
to ban Nigeria over interference in the running of the
round leather game in the country.
The world football governing body had few years ago
threatened to ban the NFF after the Nigerian Federal
Government wanted to withdraw the country from all
football related activities for two years. A decision that
was later rescinded after intervention from stakeholders.
With this latest threat of another ban by FIFA, football
lovers are hoping the NFF and the Sports ministry would
put everything in order before Tuesday's deadline.
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