RIO DE JANEIRO – Nigerian officials are not backing down after sacking the entire national football federation leadership, ignoring a FIFA directive and risking an international ban for the reigning African champion.
A weekend meeting of football and government officials endorsed the earlier sacking of Nigeria Football Federation President Aminu Maigari and his executive committee.
The meeting — which FIFA said it would not recognize — also decided to plan new elections. The NFF is being led by an official appointed by the sports minister.
FIFA does not allow governments to interfere in football affairs and has given Nigeria until Tuesday to reinstate Maigari or face sanctions.
Delegates at the meeting said Maigari was responsible for embarrassing Nigeria at the World Cup by not resolving a player payment dispute. He was arrested on his return from Brazil.
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