FIFA ban could have causes joblessness

The return of Amaju Pinnick as head of the Nigerian Football Federation will help save hundreds of jobs, according to his number two, General Secretary Muhammed Sanusi.

FIFA had threatened to ban Nigerian if Pinnick had not been not reinstated, with government backing, as the authentic leader of the NFF ousting his opponent, Chris Giwa in the process.

“We thank the federal government because what has happened has saved the lives of many people in Nigeria,” said Sanusi. “You can imagine if FIFA had banned Nigeria, the number of youth that would be unemployed.”

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Earlier this month, Giwa, founder of a rival faction in the NFF, seized control insisting he was elected president in a disputed vote back in August 2014 following a court ruling. However, FIFA recognises Pinnick as the Federation’s chief and Gianni Infantino warned the Nigerian authorities to expect a ban if they do not comply with the regulations over government inference.

In yet another confusing twist to ever-changing developments, Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, insisted “nothing has changed” despite the return of the Pinnick led-board to the NFF administration.

Dalung said it was disingenuous to cite Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari for helping put Pinnick back in place.

“Those who are presently trying to instigate confusion, using the name of the president must be aware that the president cannot go against the rule of law,” he said.