By Ben Efe

Nigeria Football Federation is to cough out $300,000 (about N46m) fine,  for opting out of  today’s (November 17) friendly match against Iran in Tehran.

Though Iranian Football Federation officials disclosed yesterday that they have not received any letter from their Nigerian counterparts canceling the match, NFF secretary-general Musa Amadu confirmed that the Eagles will not be traveling for the match.

Should  the Iranians take up the matter, the NFF could be in for a breach of contract suit. The Iran federation has already paid for air travel and made hotel reservations. Mr. Amadu said that Nigeria could not raise a team for the match following injury to key players.

The cancellation of the match according NFF sources has to do with the diplomatic row between  Nigeria and Iran over the shipload of arms discovered at the Tin Can port in Lagos.

“All I can say at this time is that both federations are discussing and we hope to reach an amicable and reasonable settlement.
“We want to find a solution that will not damage the relationship between the two federations, and we hope to have all that resolved at the earliest possible time,” Amadu added.