Federal Government of Nigeria has in response to FIFA’s suspension of the Nigeria Football Federation refused to release to the NFF its monthly allocation for the month of July. The allocation amounts to almost N235 million.

The amount, we gathered would have covered Nigeria’s participation in the FIFA U-20 Women World Cup, and other engagements being undertaken by the NFF this month, necessary as the Nigerian Government wants to avoid accusations of interference in the administration of football in the country by the world football governing body, FIFA; a top official at the Sport Ministry said.

The NSC has directed the NFF to source its own funds to take care of its commitments for the month of July.

The government’s action, sources say, has thrown the country’s Under-17 national team’s game against Congo DR this weekend in jeopardy as well as worsen the case of the Nigeria female under-20 team who are getting ready for the World cup as the NFF relies solely on funds from the Nigeria government.

Last week FIFA suspended Nigeria from all football related activities alleging Government interference in the running of football in the country after a Jos High Court sacked the Aminu Maigari-led board of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Nigeria has been given up to 17th of this month to withdraw all court cases or risk further sanctions.

It was gathered that the immediate casualties will be the Under-17 team and the Female under-20 team.

"In the long run it will be a disaster for our football if Government stops giving funds to the NFF although we have sponsorship deals, but the money won’t be enough as we participate in all FIFA competitions hence we have 11 National teams to cater for.

Presently we have eight different male national team from the Under-13, beach soccer up to the futsal (5 aside team) and we cater for three different women teams. If the government stops funding us I am afraid we have to withdraw from some tournament to be able to keep up." the source said.

-culled from vanguard