FIFA warning to Nigeria over government interference

Rio de Janeiro: FIFA has expressed "great concern" at the Nigerian government`s decision to appoint a sole administrator for the country`s football federation.

In a statement issued Friday, football`s governing body warned the Nigerian government not to interfere with the national football association. "FIFA has reminded the NFF that all FIFA member associations have to manage their affairs independently and without influence of any third parties as clearly stipulated in articles 13, par. 1 and 17, par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes," the statement said. "The above mentioned actions are preventing the NFF from managing its affairs independently and are considered by FIFA as undue interference in the NFF affairs." The Nigerian government`s decision to appoint Lawrence Longyir Katiken to run the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) came after a court sacked the executive committee Thursday. Nigeria were threatened with a FIFA ban in 2010 after reported government interference. FIFA has expressed "great concern" at the Nigerian government`s decision to appoint a sole administrator for the country`s football federation. In a statement issued Friday, football`s governing body warned the Nigerian government not to interfere with the national football association. "FIFA has reminded the NFF that all FIFA member associations have to manage their affairs independently and without influence of any third parties as clearly stipulated in articles 13, par. 1 and 17, par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes," the statement said. "The above mentioned actions are preventing the NFF from managing its affairs independently and are considered by FIFA as undue interference in the NFF affairs." The Nigerian government`s decision to appoint Lawrence Longyir Katiken to run the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) came after a court sacked the executive committee Thursday. Nigeria were threatened with a FIFA ban in 2010 after reported government interference.