NFF accepts FIFA sanction, apologises to Nigerians

NFF have accepted FIFA sanction imposed on them for featuring an ineligible player in their World Cup qualifiers and tendered their apology to Nigerians

The Nigeria Football Federation hav accepted the sanction imposed on them by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee following a revelation that Nigeria fielded an ineligible player in the the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

FIFA claimed the inclusion of Shehu Abdullahi in Super Eagles line-up against the Desert Foxes of Algeria on November 10, 2017 was against the rules of the federation.

Abdullahi, who picked up two yellow cards in the Eagles’ games against Cameroon and Zambia prior to their clash against the North Africans, should have been made to miss the matchday six game.

The NFF President Amaju Pinnick has now apologized to Nigerians for the embarrassment and promised that the new development will not affect the Super Eagles preparation for Russia 2018.

“We accept the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to fine the NFF and award the match to Algeria,” Pinnick told the NFF.

“However, this is a grave error and somebody must be punished. We apologize to Nigerians for this and assure that this will not in any way derail or even distract us in our well –laid plan to ensure that the Super Eagles have a great outing in Russia.

“At the same time, I want to assure that persons responsible for this slip would not be given just a slap on the wrist. We are actually looking at a re-organization of the Technical Department. The Technical Committee will henceforth play serious superintending role on all details, no matter how minute, in technical matters.

“It is important that all committees and departments at the NFF should move at the same pace as the Executive Committee.”