In his own reaction, former chairman of the Nigeria Professional League Board, Chief Onyuki Obaseki has said that Nigeria’s suspension by FIFA was unfortunate and deplorable.

Obaseki who spoke on a radio programme monitored in Lagos, however questioned FIFA’s meddlesomeness in Nigeria’s internal affairs, saying that the country was a sovereign nation with laws that govern it.

“A court order stopped the NFF from conducting the elections that brought about all these problems. The NFF defied that order and FIFA is now suspending the country,” Obaseki said.

He enjoined the world football ruling body to respect Nigeria and wondered whether FIFA could dictate to Switzerland the way the country was governed.