Sports

NFF Controversy: Pinnick Returns to Court

Published

6 years ago

July 4, 2018

Eric

The FIFA recognised chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has asked a court to vacate its order that sacked him from office.

Following his requeest, the Jos Federal High Court on Wednesday fixed July 10 for hearing the motions filed by Mr Pinnick, challenging the exparte order it granted Chris Giwa, who has assumed office as president of the federation.

Mr Pinnick approached the court for the relief after the Nigerian government implemented the order of the high court.

Musa Kurya, the presiding judge in the case between Yahaya Adama and Aminu Maigari had, on June 5, made an exparte order asking Mr Pinnick’s NFF leadership to vacate the Glass House for the Giwa-led executive.

Based on the order, the sports minister, Solomon Dalung, said he had been advised by the justice ministry to ensure the NFF complies with the order.

But Mr Pinnick, through his counsel, Festus Keyamo, stormed the court on Wednesday with two motions demanding the vacation of the order granted Mr Giwa and others, pending the determination of an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

Though the case was heard in the chamber, the two counsel in the matter spoke to journalists shortly after.

Festus Ukpe, who stood in for Mr Keyamo, explained: “We came to court to challenge the order which the court gave to Giwa led Exco.

“Our aim or intention was to move our two motions, but the counsel to Adama and Ogba, Mr Habila Ardzard, opposed it on the ground that they only got possession of the motions today (Wednesday).

“We told the judge that there was need for the court to hear these motions because of our fear of what Giwa will do in these few days that he claims he has power over Glass House.

“That is why we argued that there was the need for the judge to vacate his order since we were not given fair hearing in the matter, which we are not a party to but for our interest.’’

Mr Ukpe said that after both sides made their submissions, the judge ruled and fixed July 10 for the hearing of the motions because of the urgency.

Also, Mr Ardzard said he had to oppose Mr Pinnick from moving the motions “because by law, we are entitled to seven days within which we could study the motion and reply from the date of its receipt.

“We were only asked to come to court today and when we came we were told that there were two motions which Pinnick’s counsel intended to move today (Wednesday).

“Of course, we had to oppose it and the court finally ruled in our favour and therefore, fixed July 10 for the hearing of the motions’’.

Nonetheless, the order granted Mr Giwa subsists until Tuesday, July 10 when the motions would be heard on their merit.

Mr Keyamo has repeatedly argued that Nigeria risks a FIFA ban if the world body interprets the sports ministry’s action as interfering in football matters.

FIFA has repeatedly warned countries not to interfere in football matters.

Mr Giwa, however, says there is no chance of FIFA sanctioning Nigeria.

Premium Times

Sports

Man United Engage van Nistelrooy on Interim Basis As Ten Hag Gets the Boot

Published

3 weeks ago

October 28, 2024

Eric

Manchester United have announced the termination of Erik ten Hag’s contract after two-and-a-half years in charge at Old Trafford, with Ruud van Nistelrooy set to take interim charge.

The Dutchman was dismissed following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham, which left United sitting 14th in the Premier League table.

A club statement said: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.

“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”

Sports

Botched Game: CAF Punishes Libya, Awards Three Points, Three Goals to Nigeria

Published

4 weeks ago

October 26, 2024

Eric

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded three points, and three goals to Nigeria for the missed Libya game.

The development comes after the CAF president, Patrice Motsepe, said a thorough probe was ongoing following the recent controversy surrounding Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.

Motsepe had maintained that the continental body would not tolerate any lack of sportsmanship and unfair treatment in African football.

However, in the latest development on Saturday, a statement signed by CAF’s Chairperson of CAF Disciplinary Board, Ousmane Kane said the decision to award Nigeria the points was taken after findings by the disciplinary committee it set up to look into the matter, found Libya guilty of the inhumane treatment meted out to the Nigerian senior men’s football team.

The 5-man disciplinary committee consist of; Mr. Ousmane Kane (Senegal) Chairperson, Ms. Njeri Onyango (Kenya) Vice-Chairperson, Mr. Felix Golbassia (Tchad) Member, Mr. Patrick Shale (Lesotho) Member, and Mr. Norman Arendse (South Africa) Member.

CAF said the disciplinary board decided that; “The Libya Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the African, Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, and that the match No.87 Libya v. Nigeria of the CAF African Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October 2024 in Benghazi) is declared lost by forfeit by Libya (by a score of 3-0).”

Following the conclusion of the board’s findings, CAF also ordered the Libya Football Federation to pay a fine of USD 50,000 within 60 days of notification of the present decision.

The players and officials were stranded for hours at a Libyan airport and denied access to food and the internet as they prepared to honour their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier with the Mediterranean Knights.

It took diplomatic efforts and social media callouts for the team to be cleared to finally leave Libya.

With the CAF decision, Nigeria is now poised to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with two matches to spare.

The Eagles are now on 10 points from four matches, four points better than second-placed Benin Republic, while Rwanda have five points. Bottom-placed Libya have only one point and are out of the running for qualification.

Victory or draw against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan on Thursday, 14th November (a Matchday 5 encounter) will land the Super Eagles a ticket to the finals in Morocco, December 2025/January 2026.

Sports

LFF Denies Foul Play Against Super Eagles, Blames Logistic Challenges for Delay

Published

1 month ago

October 14, 2024

Eric

The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has addressed the circumstances behind the extended delay at Al Abraq International Airport, where the Super Eagles of Nigeria were held hostage for over 15 hours, and attributed the situation to routine air traffic and logistical challenges rather than deliberate foul play.

In a statement on Monday via X, the LFF sought to clarify the events, emphasising that the diversion of the Nigerian team’s flight was not intended as a hostile act.

“We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation,” the LFF said.

Meanwhile, in the most recent development, Super Eagles players and officials have been reportedly set to depart from Libya.

This was disclosed by a sports enthusiast, identified as Pooja Media, via his X handle on Monday, according to The Punch report.

He wrote, “Super Eagles players and all officials are boarding to fly out of Libya to Nigeria. Thank God.”

Confirming this, a player, Bruno Onyemaechi, wrote, “Me and Libya, I don wash my hands commot. Nothing concerns me and una again. Thank God I’m going back.”

The team, held at an abandoned airport for over 15 hours, has resolved not to play the match, citing safety concerns.

Nigeria Football Federation director of communications, Ademola Olajire, confirmed that the team would fly back home.

“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” Olajire stated.