Governing Bodies

FLASHBACK: FIFA FINES NIGERIA FOR WITHDRAWAL FROM WORLD CUP

Published

5 years ago

July 20, 2020

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

On this date, 20 July 1965, the World football governing body, FIFA slammed a 5,000 Swiss Francs on Nigeria for a sudden withdrawal from the 1966 World Cup which finals took place in England.

In the preliminary competition, Nigeria along with 14 other African teams entered. At the time, both Africa and Asia had one joint slot at the World Cup. The winner of the continental series in Africa was to face that of Asia to be able to qualify for the final tournament.

While Africa had 15 entries, Asia had just two who were to contest with Australia from Oceania and South Africa, which opted for the zone on political ground.

FIFA reasoned that the half allocation to both Asia and Africa was occasioned by the fact that the two continents did not have teams that qualified for Sweden 1958 and Chile 1962.

***Letter written to the NFA after withdrawal from 1966 World Cup***

The 15 teams in Africa were divided into six groups of either two or three teams.

Nigeria was grouped with Libya and United Arab Republic (Egypt/Syria) in Group 6.

The six group winners were to move into round two with the following pairings: Group 1 to face Group 5 while Group 2 winners were to face that of Group 4.

The Nigeria’s group winner was to face the eventual champion of Group 3, which had Algeria, Liberia and Tunisia.

But the matches did not hold in Africa following a mass boycott. First to withdraw on 17 August 1964 were Morocco and Ethiopia.

Then on 21 September 1964, the quartet of Guinea, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia joined. On 8 October 1964, South Africa, based on protest to FIFA by Egypt (then UAR), was also thrown out.

It was on that day that Nigeria and all the remaining African countries announced their withdrawal from participating in the World Cup 1966 qualifiers.

Also, Syria, which had pulled out of an earlier political union of UAR withdrew from Europe Group 9 where it was to compete.

Asia’s four teams had their fair share of controversy too.

The league-styled games were to be played on a neutral ground, Japan.

South Africa was banned by FIFA on account of apartheid policy.

That left three teams to contest. South Korea also withdrew when the tournament was moved from Japan to Cambodia.

On account of North Korea not having diplomatic relationship with most Asian countries, it was difficult finding a suitable country to host the tournament until North Korean leader, Kim II-Sung convinced his Cambodian ally to host the matches.

That left only Australia and North Korea to play in duels easily won by North Korea.

For the final round, North Korea were to play the three final group winners from Africa on home and away basis with the winning side of the quartet qualifying for England ’66.

Because of the withdrawal of the African teams, North Korea qualified automatically.

FIFA, in its reaction to the boycotts, fined the boycotting countries including Nigeria.

In the letter sent to Nigeria and dated 20 July 1965, FIFA stated that Nigeria breached the competition’s regulations by withdrawing after the preliminary competition had started.

The NFA was given a deadline of 31 December 1965 to pay the fine.

Governing Bodies

After FIFA seat loss, Nigeria must now focus on FIFA World Cup qualification, says Toro

Published

5 days ago

March 13, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Sani Toro, Former General Secretary of the then-Nigeria Football Association (now NFF), has lamented Wednesday’s loss of the FIFA Council seat by Nigeria.

Nigeria’s candidate, Amaju Pinnick lost by a single vote to the duo of Ahmed Yahya of Mauritania and Souleman Hassan Waberi of Djibouti, scoring 29 votes.

Toro, who shares a birthday anniversary with Nigeria’s former legendary goalkeeper, Emmanuel Okala, lamented the loss and sees it more as a loss by Nigeria rather than by an individual.

Despite losing seat, Amaju Pinnick will still be relevant in FIFA

He urged both the National Sports Commission, NSC and the NFF to put the situation behind and focus more on another pressing assignment, the qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which is now on the front burner.

He was the General secretary of the Nigerian football governing body when the country first qualified for the 1994 World Cup.

“Nigeria cannot afford not to be at the forthcoming World Cup, remarked Toro whose tenure, which ran from 21 December 1993 to 3 May 1999, is second in longevity to that of Sanusi Mohammed as General Secretary.

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Governing Bodies

This is my story: Amaju Pinnick opens up on FIFA Council Election

Published

6 days ago

March 12, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Amaju Melvin Pinnick rose from his seat inside the Marriott Mena House in downtown Cairo on Wednesday afternoon without any negative emotion.

He had just lost his seat on the FIFA Council (that hallowed panel of only 37 persons who rule world football), even if so narrowly.

But his character and charisma remained in place and he was unbowed. Instead, he was full of gratitude to God and a throng of persons.

“When I started 26 years ago, as a volunteer at the FIFA U20 World Cup that Nigeria hosted, I never dreamed of reaching these heights.

“Never thought I could become the number one administrator of football in Nigeria (and for eight years for that matter), play key roles in African football and easily mingle with the world’s top football governors.

“I have only gratitude to give to the Almighty God, to those who have helped me one way or the other and to all those I have met on my way.

“Football politics is fierce, but I am proud to have fought a good fight. I campaigned hard; travelled to more than 30 countries.

“Hours before the election, I was sure of close to 40 votes. But politics happened. I am not bitter about anything, just full of gratitude to everyone who supported my push.”

The former NFF President, who also served as First Vice President of CAF between 2018 and 2019, thanked Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a person and the Government of Nigeria as a whole, as well as FIFA supremo Gianni Infantino, NSC boss Shehu Dikko, NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and those he called friends in government and the corporate world.

“I am drawn to tears by the support of President Tinubu, right from the time he publicly endorsed my candidature. I am most grateful and do not take anything for granted. “I cherish my relationship with Gianni (Infantino) and appreciate his sincerity. I thank the National Sports Commission led by Shehu Dikko.

“The NFF, particularly Ibrahim Musa Gusau, were amazing in their push. Kudos also to my friends in government and the corporate world.

“I was to be no more than the head of NFF electoral committee back in 2014, but fate catapulted me to the presidency, and I became the youngest-ever Nigerian in world football’s supreme council. I am more than fulfilled.”

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Governing Bodies

Ronaldo withdraws from Brazilian FA presidential race

Published

6 days ago

March 12, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Interview with Ronaldo Nazario - Madrid, Spain - October 14, 2022 Former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Brazil striker Ronaldo Nazario during a interview on the eve of the world premier of his documentary 'The Phenomenon' REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura/ File Photo

Brazilian soccer great Ronaldo said that he was pulling out of the race to be president of his country’s football association (CBF) on Wednesday after failing to gather enough support from regional federations to present a candidacy.

The 48-year-old, a former Ballon d’Or winner and two-time World Cup champion, announced his intention to run for the presidency in December in an attempt to “recover the prestige and respect that Brazil always had” following years of controversies involving CBF chiefs.

However, the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid forward came to the conclusion that he would not be able to challenge current president Ednaldo Rodrigues who has the support of almost all the electorate.

“On my first contact with the 27 regional federations, I found 23 closed doors. If the majority of decision-makers believe that Brazilian football is in good hands, it doesn’t matter what I think,” Ronaldo said in a statement published via his social media channels.

“The federations refused to receive me in their homes, on the grounds of their satisfaction with the current administration and support for (Rodrigues’) re-election.

“I was unable to present my project, put forward my ideas and listen to them as I would have liked. There was no openness to dialogue.

“The statute gives the federations the strongest vote, so it’s clear that there’s no way I can run. Most of the local leaders support the incumbent president, that’s their right and I respect it, regardless of my convictions.”

The electoral college is made up of the 27 regional federations, allocated three votes each, while the 20 top-flight Serie A clubs are given two votes each and the 20 second-tier Serie B sides, one vote each.

Rodrigues is expected to be the lone candidate in next year’s election.

-Reuters

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