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The NFF has been embroiled in turmoil in the aftermath of the last three World Cups. In 2010 and 2014, Nigeria was temporarily banned from international competition by FIFA because of outside interference in the NFF.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on July 13 in Moscow that Nigeria would face another ban if Pinnick wasn’t recognized as NFF president.

“Nigeria’s football association has a president, his name is Pinnick,” Infantino said. “He has been elected. We have been very clear about that.

“It’s a very clear cut and simple case as far as we are concerned and we have made this very clear and, if necessary, we will make it even more clear.”

The operation by the Department of State Services on Monday came three weeks after Giwa and his supporters took over the NFF headquarters in Abuja while Pinnick was in Russia.

The NFF said secretary general Mohammed Sanusi returned to the offices on Monday to take over until Pinnick, who is also a vice-president of the Confederation of African Football, returns from a meeting of that body in Morocco. Pinnick is expected to return to Nigeria on Tuesday.

The situation may not be completely resolved with Nigerian media quoting sports minister Solomon Dalung as saying the court orders that recognized Giwa as president are still valid.

Dalung reportedly called the operation to remove Giwa from the NFF building “security excesses,” and said they were not ordered by President Buhari, disputing the NFF’s version.

Dalung sacked Pinnick and his board this month in favour of Giwa. That action was not recognized by FIFA or Pinnick.