2018 World Cup

VIDEO: Pinnick remains NFF president, says Infantino

Published

6 years ago

July 13, 2018

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Gianni Infantino wore a volunteer hoodie to the World Cup press conference

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Friday that Amaju Pinnick remains the President of Nigeria Football Federation despite claim of his sack by Sports Minister Solomon Dalung.

Infantino who turned up for a World Cup press conference said there was argument about who leads Nigeria’s football.

“Nigeria Football Association has a President and his name is (Amaju) Pinnick. He is the President recognised by FIFA and that’s the end of the story.

“If any extraordinary body think they can change the situation, then Nigeria would risk to be banned.”

This is @FIFAcom President Gianni Infantino's response to @kisusulola1 of @thecableng's enquiry about the Nigeria Football Federation leadership situation. pic.twitter.com/6ASHdzKTy2
— Oluwatoyin Ibitoye (@Toyin_Ibitoye) July 13, 2018
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Infantino also shared his views on goals scored from offside positions, noting that, it will be a thing of the past at least in competitions where Video Assistant Referees (VARs) are used.

FIFA president also hailed the success of the technology at the World Cup in Russia.

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Infantino, dressed in a red volunteer’s uniform also declared the tournament the “best World Cup ever” in an hour-long news conference.

Infantino said that despite initial fears, the VAR system had worked well.

“This is progress, this is better than the past,” he said. “VAR is not changing football, it is cleaning football, making it more honest and transparent and helping referees to make the right decisions.”

“The goal scored from an offside position is finished in football, at least in football with VAR.

“You will never see any more a goal scored in an offside position, it’s finished because either you are or are not offside, these are clear decisions.”

Of the overall tournament, he said: “For a couple of years, I was saying it would be the best World Cup ever, today I can say that with more conviction.”