Respite For Pinnick As FIFA Shuns Petition

• Rejects Harrison Jalla’s moves to thwart aspiration 

The world football governing body, FIFA has rejected a request seeking an investigation of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick.

FIFA revealed that it will not launch ethical proceedings against Pinnick as requested by Harrison Jalla, a former President of National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF).

Already, Pinnick has been cleared by FIFA Review Committee to contest for a seat in the FIFA Council at the 43rd Ordinary General Assembly of CAF, scheduled for March 12, 2021 in Morocco.

In his petition, Jalla alleged that Pinnick lacks integrity and is not fit for a position in the FIFA council.

However, FIFA may have disappointed Jalla with its response that it is not obliged to open an investigation into the matter and if they will, it would be at their discretion.

Explaining its stance on the petition, FIFA said; “We acknowledge receipt of your correspondence and have taken note of the information provided. We wish to express our appreciation for having filed a complaint in the context of art.58 par.1 of the FIFA Code of Ethics (FCE).

“It is noted that FIFA bears a special responsibility to safeguard the integrity and reputation of football worldwide and your complaint shows your commitment with our values and principles

“Notwithstanding the above, even though you are entitled to file such a complaint in the context of a conduct considered in compatible with the FCE, it does not follow that you become a party to the proceedings which may result from this claim, as only accused subjects are conceived as such parties (see art.37 of the FCE).

“In sum, and based on your complaint and your initial lack of standing in the potential case, FIFA is not obliged to start ethical proceedings.

“Further, we need also to clarify that we will not be in a position to provide you with information with regard to your inquiries or regarding the state of the proceedings before the FIFA Ethics Committee (if any).

“However, in the event that we would require any further information or documents from your part, we will contact you in due course.

“Also for the sake of clarity, please note that the Chairperson of the Investigatory Chamber may initiate preliminary investigations at her own discretion and at any time.

“Finally, and after a careful analysis of a complaint, should the allegation reported here is considered to be an internal matter or, in case it does not fall within the jurisdiction of the FIFA Ethics Committee, the claim may be closed or transmitted to the relevant Member Association or Confederation.”

If Pinnick succeeds in his aspiration, he will become the third Nigerian to occupy a seat in the FIFA Executive Council.

Late Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo and Amos Adamu are the other two Nigerians that have represented the continent in the FIFA Council.

Orok Oyo, who was a member of the FIFA Executive Council from 1980 to 1988, also served on the Technical Committee and the Organising Committee for the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. He died on September 10, 2008 at the age of 86.

A proud Nigerian, Oyo was the longest-serving Secretary-General of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and also the country’s first executive member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) serving between 1974 and 1998. He was also awarded the FIFA Order of Merit Award in the year 2000.

For Amos Adamu, he was Director General of the Nigerian National Sports Commission for ten years before being redeployed in November 2008. Before his appointment as Director General, Adamu was the Director of Sports of the Ministry for 10 years

However, an investigation by FIFA banned him and Reynald Temarii from soccer administration for life.

In November 2010, Adamu received a three-year ban and 10,000 Swiss franc fine from FIFA Ethics Committee after being found guilty of breaching bribery rules. In February 2017, the FIFA Ethics Committee again banned Adamu for two years. – With Goal.com reports