FIFA warns Nigeria over litigations

FIFA, the world soccer governing body, has warned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to put its house in order and ensure that all court litigations end forthwith or be prepared to face sanctions.FIFA's warning followed a suit filed in an Abuja High Court by Sam Jaja over his disqualification from the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) board elections.Jaja is a former NFF member.FIFA statutes require that all football matters should be settled amicably without recourse to lawcourts.The high court last Thursday adjourned Jaja's case till Monday.A statement by NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire said on Sunday that FIFA earlier this month reminded the federation of its Article 64 Paragraph 2 frowning at football matters being taken to law courts.It warned that efforts should be made to ensurethe litigant withdrew the case and the NFF should take action against him if he failed to comply."FIFA member associations must ensure that their own members comply with the Statutes (Article 13, Paragragh 1 (d) of the FIFA Statutes)," the statement said."As a consequence, we request the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ask for an immediate withdrawal of the claim and, in case of non-compliance by the claimant, to take sanction against him," it added."We remind you that if the NFF does not comply,FIFA could have to act according to Article 13 Paragragh 2 of the FIFA Statutes which state that violation of obligations by any member may lead tosanctions," the governing body said.The NFF had earlier banned Ray Nnaji from football activities after he failed at the law court./People's Daily Online (Kina)