FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, warned on Friday that Nigeria would be banned from all international competitions following the renewal of leadership crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, had two weeks ago directed the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF Executive Committee to leave office following a Supreme Court’s verdict which ordered the re-listing of the case at the Federal High Court in Jos.

Pinnick and Chris Giwa are the key figures in the leadership crisis in the NFF.

Infantino spoke at Friday’s conference in Moscow, Russia, where he reviewed events at the ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup in the Eastern European nation.

He said: ‘‘The situation is very clear. We have statutes that there can be no interference in the running of an association. Amaji Pinnick is the president recognized by FIFA. He is the president elected by members of the NFF. And that is the end of the story. If any external body thinks they can change the situation then, of course , Nigeria risks being banned.

‘‘We have democratic processes that have to be respected. It is very clear-cut and simple. If this didn’t come clear enough, you could help us transmit that message. ’’

It remains to be seen if the government will heed FIFA’s warning by rescinding its decision on the matter or wait until the body bans the country from all its competitions.

•Culled from The Nation