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

FIFA punishes clubs in Kenya and Vietnam for match manipulation

Published

6 days ago

May 3, 2025

Kunle Solaja

World Cup Was Expanded To Help Scotland Qualify, FIFA's Infantino Jokes -

FIFA has sanctioned two lower division clubs in Kenya and Vietnam for match manipulation, relegating them to the third tier, world soccer’s governing body said on Friday.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee found Kenyan side Muhoroni Youth guilty of “activities related to the manipulation of football matches and competitions”, expelling the club from the second-tier National Super League.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has further ordered the relegation of the Muhoroni Youth senior team to the Football Kenya Federation Division One League (third tier) ahead of next season,” FIFA said.

Vietnamese club Phu Tho was also found guilty of match manipulation. The club’s senior team was expelled from the Vietnamese Football League Second Division and relegated to the third division.

FIFA said the clubs had been notified and can appeal the decision.

-Reuters

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Governing Bodies

CAF President Dr Motsepe Announces Five Vice Presidents

Published

2 weeks ago

April 27, 2025

Kunle Solaja

The president of the Confédération of African Football, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has announced five new CAF Vice Presidents. They are:

CAF First Vice President: Mr Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco)
CAF Second Vice President: Mr Kurt Okraku (Ghana)
CAF Third Vice President: Mr Pierre-Alain Mounguengui (Gabon)
CAF Fourth Vice President: Ms Bestine Kazadi Ditabala (Democratic Republic of Congo)
CAF Fifth Vice President: Mr Feizal Sidat (Mozambique)

In addition, the CAF President has co-opted Yacine Idriss Diallo, President of Fédération Ivoirienne de football, into the CAF Executive Committee.

The CAF Executive Committee also approved the names to fill vacant positions on several CAF Committees.

Organising Committee for the African Nations Championship (CHAN)

President: Pierre-Alain Mounguengui (Gabon)

CAF Technical and Development Committee

President: Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
Vice President: Malouche Belhassen (Tunisia)

CAF Medical Committee:

President: Dr. Mohammed Bouya (Mauritania)
Vice President: Dr. Thulani Ngwenya (South Africa)

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Governing Bodies

Nigeria becoming an epicentre of global badminton as Francis Orbih enters the Badminton World Federation Council

Published

2 weeks ago

April 26, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Laurels on the courts and now glory in the boardroom sums up the mark that badminton is making in Nigeria.

The President, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, has been elected as a council member of the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

The election took place during the BWF Annual General Meeting on Saturday in Xiamen, China.

Orbih emerged victorious over top contenders from other African countries.

He will join Cameroon’s Odette Assembe Engoulou on the council, while Chipo Zumburani (Zimbabwe) and Hadia ElSaid (Egypt) missed out.

An elated Orbih expressed his gratitude to fellow badminton presidents across the globe for their trust and support.

He said, “I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me by my peers across the badminton world.

“I look forward to quality representation, driving development initiatives, and strengthening badminton’s global reach over the next four years.”

Orbih also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria, particularly the National Sports Commission (NSC), which he said played a significant role in his successful bid.

“The Chairman and the Director General of the NSC monitored the entire process. I’m grateful for their involvement and confident Nigeria will benefit from this,” he stated.

He further appreciated the BFN board members and the Nigerian badminton community for their prayers and continued belief in his leadership.

“From the day I declared my intentions, the board members of BFN have been supportive, and I promise not to disappoint them,” Orbih concluded.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H