- Maigari fights back: We took care of sports minister in Brazil\
Nigeria Pilot Sports can report that Federation of International Football Associations, FIFA, will most likely lift its indefinite ban on the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF today.
Impeccable sources hinted our man in Abuja yesterday that the ban will be lifted in time for the deadline set by the world soccer ruling body after Ebiakpo Baribote, wife of former NPFL chairman, Chief Victor Baribote agreed to withdraw the lawsuit that sparked the current NFF leadership crisis.
We gathered that Mrs Baribote has been granted one of her wishes, the lifting of the 15-year ban slammed on her husband. Baribote was banned from all football activities for taking the NFF to court after he was removed as NPFL chairman, and consequently, NFF second Vice President.
Further details of the resolution of the NFF impasse to be communicated to FIFA were being worked out in a meeting held at the sports ministry as we went to press.
In a related development, embattled NFF boss, Aminu Maigari is fighting back after being hit by allegations that he mismanaged and spent funds belonging to the NFF recklessly.
“I’m being persecuted for purportedly not taking care of the sports minister in Brazil. And this is not true. My present problems stems from the belief that the minister was not well taken care of during the FIFA World Cup,’’ said Maigari.
“The minister’s grouse is that he wasn’t accorded an airport reception when he touched down in Brazil but even then, we took care of his guests’ hotel bills.
‘’Truth is, the minister’s men wanted to handle our transportation and lodging arrangements in Brazil at a higher rate after the NFF had already entered into a pact with WakaNow, a reputed Travel Agency. WakaNow, for instance, offered us accommodation at $150 per night but the minister’s men got it at $250 for us. We conceded.’’