Nigeria’s rugby national team, The Stallions are bound to remain shut-out from international action for the foreseeable future, as a ban imposed on the country by the continental body has been upheld by the global sanctioning authority, megasportsarena.com reports.
The country is set to be bugged down by a pariah status, after World Rugby backed the decision by Rugby Africa to suspend Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) from all its activities due to alleged interference from the ministry of spots.
This comes after World Rugby supported the continental body’s verdict that a recent dissolution of the NRFF’s board by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development was another instance of political interference by minister of sports, Akin Dare.
World Rugby strongly urged the minister of sports to reinstate the NRFF Board which has been duly elected in accordance with the constitution, after their African affiliate threatened to freeze all World Cup funding to Nigeria.
The continental body also announced the suspension of NRFF’s participation in any international Rugby competitions at any level for an indefinite period as well as the removal of Nigeria’s right to representation at the World Rugby General Assembly to be held on November 25,2021 and a halt to any consideration of its international moving forward.
A letter signed by the global body’s director of development and international relations, David Carrigy noted that Bye-law 6(h) of the World Rugby Bye–Laws allows them to suspend or expel a Member Union from World Rugby membership in circumstances where political interference in the affairs of their Member Unions is deemed to have occurred.
The letter addressed to Dare affirmed further that the NRFF’s dissolution by the minister will be raised at the May 11, 2021 World Rugby Executive Committee meeting and added: “I am writing with regard to matters brought to World Rugby’s attention concerning the dissolution of the boards of 31 Sports Federations in Nigeria, including the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation (“NRFF”), to be replaced by Ministry selected caretaker committees.
“The World Rugby Council at its November 14, 2018 meeting, having reviewed the NRFF constitution dated March 3, 2018 and having noted submissions from the NRFF Board and Rugby Africa, confirmed the NRFF as a Full Member of World Rugby and the sole governing body of rugby in Nigeria managed by the constitutionally elected Board in accordance with its constitution.
“World Rugby is concerned about the decision to dissolve the duly elected board of the NRFF. World Rugby considers such a decision by the government of Nigeria to be political interference in the affairs of the NRFF. Bye-law 6(h) of the World Rugby Bye–Laws allows World Rugby to suspend or expel a Member Union from World Rugby membership in circumstances where political interference in the affairs of our Member Unions is deemed to have occurred. Accordingly, World Rugby would strongly urge you to reinstate the NRFF Board which has been duly elected in accordance with the constitution.
“As an indication of the serious nature of this matter, I can confirm that the matter will be raised at the May 11, 2021 World Rugby Executive Committee meeting. In the event that your Government does not immediately reinstate the duly elected NRFF Board, the World Rugby Executive Committee are likely to consider a number of actions to include.
“But not limited to the immediate freezing of all World Rugby funding to Rugby in Nigeria; a suspension of NRFF participation in any international Rugby competitions at any level for an indefinite period; the removal of NRFF’s right to representation at the World Rugby General Assembly to be held on November 25,2021 and consideration of NRFF’s membership of World Rugby moving forward.
“We would respectfully request a response from your office on this matter before May 11, 2021 so that your Government’s position may also be heard by the World Rugby Executive Committee.”
