The Nigeria Football Federation Technical Director, Coach Bitrus Bewarang has called on the federal government to urgently call Chris Giwa, the Proprietor of Giwa FC to order in the interest of Nigerian football.
Bewarang made the passionate appeal during a chat with Nigerian journalists covering the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil on Wednesday.
He was particularly disturbed that Chris Giwa had once more taken Nigeria football to civil court, in the process getting an injunction for his club, Giwa FC, to be reinstated into the Nigeria Professional Football League after several breaches of the rules and regulations.
His words, “I think it is high time the Federal Government takes action against this fellow called Chris Giwa. Nigeria football has had enough! Who is this Giwa that is holding Nigeria football to ransom and nobody, even at the highest level, is saying anything or taking any action.
“Every day, we hear top government functionaries talking about the importance of football as the strongest unifying factor in the whole of Nigeria. Yet, this gangsterism and lawlessness is being allowed by one man who has so much baggage around him.”
The former Super Eagles’ assistant coach wondered why Chris Giwa feels that since he is not involved in administration, he must do everything to destroy the game.
“I would not blame a desperate fellow for being so desperate, but why are the authorities keeping quiet? As a club owner, he must have signed the rules and regulations that forbid persons from taking football matters to civil courts. Yet, he has gone to civil court, the same way he has done against the Nigeria Football Federation.
“In the NFF matter, he lost out at FIFA and at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (the highest sports resolution body worldwide) and yet went back to civil courts in Nigeria. He lost at the High Court and Appeal Court and has now taken his case to the Supreme Court, which will hear the case in September, just two weeks to an important World Cup qualifying match.”
Bewarang said he was aware of how much Nigeria football has lost as a result of the lawlessness of Chris Giwa.
“I know of how many partnership deals have fallen through as a result of the crisis he instigated. I am also aware of the pain that Nigeria football is going through as a result of lack of funds to do so many things, because sponsors are not coming in due to the uncertainty he has simulated.
“Only last month, the FIFA President and Secretary General visited Nigeria, and our country is once again being considered for great things. Weeks ago, top officials of Spanish La Liga came to open an office to partner the Nigeria league and days ago, our NPFL All-Star team played matches against top Spanish clubs, which is the first time in history such would happen. All these are good developments for Nigeria football, yet one man wants to destroy it all because he is not involved? The FIFA hierarchy will be wondering what is going on in Nigeria.”
Bewarang, who is from Plateau State as Giwa, challenged the Giwa FC owner to a public debate.
“I want to ask him pertinent questions on why he feels he should be involved in administration of Nigeria football at all cost. You went to the Court of Arbitration and then resorted to civil courts. Even at that, you were willfully misinterpreting court rulings. You breached so many provisions of the rules and regulations of the league but you want to return to the same league through the back door.”
The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner added: “If Giwa is convinced of his popularity with the Nigeria football Congress, he should work on his structures and come out to contest in two years time. He should take a cue from our dear President Muhammadu Buhari who lost election a few times but never relented and eventually won the race last year.
“On two occasions, Giwa denied Plateau United promotion to the Premier League and we have our facts. The club worked hard and waited patiently and eventually got promotion.
“This is a man who has a five –year CAF ban from all football activities hanging on his head, and who was once declared unfit to hold any public office by the Plateau State Government. I still have that White Paper, and I am ready to make it public.”
Bewarang called on the Government and Nigerians to collectively dismantle Giwa’s ignoble project.
“I seriously feel that the Government of Nigeria must let it be known that we are a law –abiding nation, and that we respect international conventions. One man cannot be above the law and be above international conventions. We are a civilized nation, not a banana republic.”
“I have been in the football system for several decades now and I have never seen this kind of rascality. Giwa’s general conduct deserves condemnation from all and sundry.”
