Former Nigerian International, Idah Peterside, on Thursday expressed worry over the suspension of Nigeria from all football activities by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).
Peterside said, who said FIFA got it wrong this time around, read Article 13, par. 1 and article 17, par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes, which obliges member associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties.
Peterside, making his argument, wondered who “the third party is?”, insisting that we have had instances where government interfered with our football and we refused and said this is wrong.
“But in this case, an individual (Victor Rumson Baribote) took the FA to court” noting however that the FA made a mistake by not sending the individual’s name to FIFA “because this is not government interference, this is an individual grievance”.
He said had the FA or Sports Ministry reported Mr Baribote to FIFA and secured a life or 30 year ban, he will be ineligible to engage in football activities even if the court decides to rule in his favour.
World football’s governing body had suspended Nigeria from all international competition, after a court order, instituted by the owner of Nembe FC, Mrs Ebiakpo Rumson Baribote, sacked the Aminu Maigari-led Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and gave a mandatory injunction compelling the Minister of Sports to appoint a senior member of the civil service in the NFF to command, control and manage the affairs of Nigeria football.
FIFA banned Nigerian football teams from competing in any international competition, be it at club or national level, on a temporary basis on Wednesday.
The emergency committee of FIFA set a deadline of Tuesday, July 15, for Nigeria to resolve the issue.
FIFA said that Nigeria had ignored two key FIFA statutes that guarantee no form of government interference in the management of Nigerian football.
“During the period of suspension, the NFF may not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, or in friendly matches,” a FIFA statement said.
FIFA said the suspension would be lifted once “the properly elected NFF Executive Committee, the NFF General Assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without interference in their affairs.”
Messi Needs To Be On Maradona’s Level
Peterside also praised the two teams that played in yesterday’s (Wednesday) World Cup semi-final for being careful and not opening the floodgates of goals as seen during the Brazil-Germany match on Wednesday.
The World Cup in Brazil would have seen an all European final but for two misses during the penalty shootout by Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder, which handed a place in the final to Argentina.
Peterside noted that the game wasn’t fantastic because the players restrained themselves, failed to come out and play “because no one wanted to be hammered”, adding that “I am happy for Argentina because of Messi.
“Messi is a genius. We want him to be up there with the Maradona’s and Pele’s of this world because he deserves it and I think they will win it against Germany”, he said.
He further noted that final matches of competitions “always never have rules; it is just one game to the cup” adding that “we just play.
“In the history of the World Cup we have never had an entertaining final because you have 90 minutes to write your name in pebbles so it Is not always beautiful football” he said.
He however noted the strength of the German team describing them as a “rigid team that is just going for the kill”.
Germany had put seven goals past hosts Brazil in the first semi final of the competition played at the Estadio Mineirao.
