Nigeria may escape Fifa ban as Presidency intervenes in NFF crisis

Nigerian football may escape the looming international ban from Fifa following the intervention of the presidency, Goal understands.

Reports say that acting president Yemi Osinbajo met with sports minister Solomon Dalung behind closed doors moments after their Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

Before meeting with Dalung, Osinbajo had held talks with Amaju Pinnick, a rival of Chris Giwa, who are both laying claim to the presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation.

It understood that the meetings were not unconnected to the stern warning given by the world governing body, asking the country to resolve it football crisis or risk suspension on Tuesday.

In a statement, Fifa declared Pinnick as the substantive NFF president owing to his victory in the election held on September 30, 2014, thereby, asking Giwa to stop parading himself before August 20, 2018.

With August 20 set as the deadline, sources revealed that an immediate resolution could be reached on the matter on or before this week Friday to ensure the country avoid the suspension.