Governing Bodies
TODAY IN HISTORY: NIGERIA PROTESTS TO FIFA OVER ARGENTINA’S WIN
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Five days after Argentina defeated the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a USA ’94 World Cup Group D match, the Nigeria Football Association formerly lodged a protest to FIFA, seeking a reversal of Argentina’s 2-1 victory and the award of the match and also with three goals, to the Super Eagles.
The protest was lodged ostensibly to avoid Nigeria crashing out should the last group match against Greece, slated for the same day failed to go in favour of the Super Eagles.
On that same day, Argentina, the group leaders with six points, were to face Bulgaria who, like Nigeria had three points to set up a three-horse qualification race. Only Greece, losers to both Argentina and Bulgaria were arithmetically out, but could still qualify should they beat Nigeria and Bulgaria lose to Argentina.
Such a complex scenario, coupled with Argentina’s withdrawal of Diego Maradona from its squad after failing a dope test in the match with Nigeria and the subsequent 15-month ban imposed by FIFA, clearly informed Nigeria’s protest letter signed by General Secretary, Sani Ahmed Toro.
The letter reads in part: “We have the honour to draw your kind attention to the information which has just reached us to the effect that Argentina has withdrawn Diego Maradona from the rest of the on-going FIFA World Cup championship matches, following the outcome of the dope test conducted on him after the game between Argentina and Nigeria on 25th June, 1994.
“We have also have it as information that he has been suspended by FIFA for Eighteen (18) months.
“However, we wish to draw your attention to the following issues which we consider as being relevant to our objectives in the championship:
“1. Player Diego Maradona wearing jersey NO. 10 for Argentina took part in the game against Nigeria on 25/6/94.
“2. The player was very instrumental to the final result of the match which Argentina won by 2-1.
“3. The contribution of this player (Diego Maradona) to the outcome of the match will affect the final placement of teams in Group D.
“4. The player was directly involved in the two goals scored by Argentina against Nigeria.
“It therefore follows from the above that;
“1. The withdrawal by Argentina of the player Diego Maradona following confirmation of his being tested positive to banned drugs is a direct admission of guilt.
“2. Under the strenuous conditions games have been played in this championship, an undue advantage will be given to Argentina if the result of the game, (Argentina/Nigeria) tremendously influenced by the player, is allowed to stand. This is without prejudice to the FIFA sanction already imposed on the player.
“In the light of the above conclusions and the fact that the aims of doping control based on the three fundamental principles of:
“a. Preserving and defending the ethics of sports
“b. Protecting the physical and mental integrity of the player, and (c) maintenance of equal opportunities for all, refer to Doping Control Regulations 93/94. These all have been defeated by the acts of the player.
“We therefore wish, with due respect, to request that the match between Argentina and Nigeria of 25/6/94 be awarded to Nigeria.
“It will be highly appreciated if our observations and prayers above could be favourably considered in best interest of football and for the protection of teams which have fallen and may fall victim to unfair methods and tactics.”
FIFA however declined Nigeria’s prayers. On 1 July 1994, in a response signed by Sepp Blatter who was the General Secretary at the time, FIFA pointed out that the Organising Committee of the FIFA World Cup dealt with the matter the same day that Nigeria protested.
“Based on the jurisprudence of FIFA applicable for cases of this nature and in application of the FIFA World Cup Regulations USA ’94, the match Argentina vs Nigeria on 25 June 1994 has to remain counted.
“Therefore, the result of the above-mentioned match still stands. This decision id final (cf Art. 8 par. 5 of the World Cup Regulations).”
As at 1 July 1994, when the outcome of the protest was released, it never mattered whether the Nigeria’s protest was upheld as on-field situations had taken care of it. Both Nigeria and Bulgaria scored late goals to record 2-0 victories over Greece and Argentina respectively.
Even though the trio of Nigeria, Bulgaria and Argentina finished with six points each, Nigeria topped the group on account of superior goal difference, upstaging the hitherto group leaders, Argentina.
The South Americans tied on points and goal difference with Bulgaria but dropped to the third pace on account of the result of head-to-head confrontation with the Europeans.
Governing Bodies
Sanusi set for record-extending tenure as Nigeria’s football politicians assemble in Asaba
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Speculations gathered ahead of the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Football Federation holding in Asaba on Friday have it that tenure elongation for the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, is a major item on the agenda.
Neither formal confirmation nor denial has been issued since one of the leading newspapers in Nigeria, ThisDay dropped the hint.
The agenda of the meeting is also not made public. Dr, Sanusi is the longest-serving General Secretary in history having been in office from 30 March 2015 making 3,476 days or nine years six months and four days.
It easily drowned that of his closest rival in tenure – Sani Toro whose tenure from 21 December 1993 to 3 May 1999 is merely 2020 days or five years, six months and 12 days.
Thus, no one had enjoyed a longer period in office than the incumbent, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi. It is speculated that the tenure will be extended as NFF has reported that all delegates have arrived in the Delta State capital by Thursday evening.
The NFF Annual General Assembly, the first of which took place 90 years ago in Lagos on 19 February 1934, is the biggest assemblage of football administrators and stakeholders in the country.
In one such meeting on 24 July 2008 in Makurdi, the football body changed its name from NFA to NFF.
This year, according to a press release by the NFF, the plenary will have in attendance, the chairmen and secretaries of football associations in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, chairmen and secretaries of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and the Nationwide League One, as well as chairmen and secretaries of the referees’ association, players’ union and coaches’ association. This group of 88 makes up the Congress.
They are joined by the members of the NFF Executive Committee and the management team as well as former NFF Presidents and General Secretaries.
The Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, is announced as the special guest. Nigeria’s Member of the FIFA Council, Amaju Melvin Pinnick is also expected as well as a representative of the West African Football Union (WAFU B).
The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Francis Oborevwori will declare the General Assembly open.
Venue is the Unity Hall of the Delta State Government House.
Governing Bodies
Like in Egypt, former Nigerian Olympian, Sadiq Abdulahi wants Tinubu to declare ‘State of Emergency’ in Sports
Former Nigerian tennis player and Olympian, Prof. Sadiq Abdulahi has called for drastic action to arrest the decline of Nigeria in global sporting events.
The former tennis player who is now a professor in the United States declared that the “failure to win a medal at the regular 2024 Paris Olympics, the few medals at the Paris Paralympic and the fallout at the National Youth Sports Festival has exposed the deep problems facing the sport’s sector.”
He wants Nigeria to have the same approach that the Egyptian president has taken while reacting to the country’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olypics.
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi ordered a comprehensive evaluation of sports federations that participated at the Paris Olympic Games, following a mission report submitted by the country’s sports minister.
According to Prof. Abdulahi, the National Sports Federations charged with the preparation of elite athletes have failed to do their job despite the cry for funding from the government.
“Federal Government cannot adequately fund all the Olympics sports. It is impossible.
“By declaring a state of emergency, new people, new approaches and new funding models will be identified. More importantly, the Federal Government will redefine grassroots sports development.
“We will lay sustainable foundation for sports development.”
Continuing, he called for the return of the National Sports Commission (NSC) which enabling decree was abolished through Decree No. 7 of 1991, but came back through presidential proclamation under Sani Abacha before it was abolished again.
The original NSC was established in 1964 as National Sports Council before the promulgation of Decree 34 of 1971 which legalised it as the apex Federal Government agency to control, regulate and organize sports.
“The FG may now bring back the National Sports Commission or the National Sports Authority. Our emerging national economy with the full participation of the private sector can support this new beginning. I hope this helps.”
RELATED STORY: President Al-Sisi orders sports system overhaul
Governing Bodies
CAF gives Yoruba and Arabic interpretations of ‘OLA’ the Super Cup 2024 Official Match Ball
The Confédération African of Football, CAF, has given the linguistics interpretation of OLA, the confederation’s official match balls produced by Puma which has also unveiled a special edition for the Super Cup duel holding on Friday in Saudi Arabia.
According to CAF, OLA, symbolizing the dynamic and energetic nature of African football, means “wealth,” “honour,” and “respect” in Yoruba and “rise” and “success” in Arabic.
The OLA ball stands out with its vibrant design and cultural significance. “OLA”
The ball is a mix of black and gold, representing power and sophistication. The ball will be the centrepiece of the eagerly-awaited match between the two giants of African football.
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