Nigeria risks football ban due to interference: FIFA

World football's governing body FIFA has said the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is likely to be banned due to a crisis that has arisen due to interference of a "third party".

FIFA, in a letter to the leadership of the NFF on Tuesday, said it would likely consider as an interference the implementation of last Thursday's reaffirmation of ruling by a Federal High Court in the city of Jos, which nullified the election of Amaju Pinnick as its president and upheld the election of his challenger, Chris Giwa, reports Xinhua news agency.

The letter signed by FIFA acting secretary general Markus Kattner warned that it would take the matter to its highest authorities for consideration of sanctions, such as the suspension of NFF, if the court order was implemented.

"In this respect, and first of all, we would like to remind you that according to articles 13 and 17 of the FIFA Statutes, all member associations have to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties," the FIFA letter stated, adding that the decision of the Nigerian court, if implemented, will likely be considered as an interference in the internal affairs of the NFF.