Act Fast - UK Based Sports Lawyer Advices NFF On Shittu, Ameobi

A Manchester based Nigerian sports lawyer, Johnny Precious Ogbah of Activity Chambers has adviced the Nigeria Football Federation to act fast to force English clubs Millwall FC and Newcastle FC to comply with laid down FIFA guidelines and release Danny Shittu and Shola Ameobi for the Super Eagles pre-AFCON training camp in Faro, Portugal or run the risk of losing both players.

Recent reports in the Nigerian media state that Ameobi has a clause in his Newcastle contract that will prevent him from appearing in the AFCON for Nigeria, and that Shittu has written to the NFF via email that he will not be available for the tournament due to some commitments he already has.

However, speaking to allnigeriasoccer.com, an enraged Barrister Ogbah who is the head of sports law (Africa) of Activity Chambers, enjoined the NFF to stand firm or act decisively to prevent the English sides from arm twisiting the players into missing the AFCON scheduled to run from January 19th till February 10th 2013.

"It is in the best interest of the Super Eagles that the NFF make it clear to both clubs that they will not stand for the game they are trying to play now," began the sports lawyer. "It is clear in FIFA Regulations For The Transfer and Status of Players that as far as the tournament is on a date in the FIFA Calendar which of course the AFCON is, the only grounds upon which the foreign club can refuse to release a player is when they are not given 15 days notice, and from recent quotes coming from the NFF, both clubs have been given adequate notice. Upon receipt of this, the clubs have 6 days to make their position clear."

"Release of a player is not based on the club's decision, rather they must comply because the rule says that clubs are obliged to release their registered players to the representative teams of the country for which the player is eligible to play on the basis of his nationality if they are called up by the association concerned. Any agreement between a player and a club to the contrary is prohibited.

"It is now crystal clear that the clubs cannot hold back any of these players or else they will  face severe sanctions. All the NFF have to do now is to let both clubs know, in clear terms, that they will not be taken for a ride. If they haven't heard from them 6 days after sending the invitations then they must officially complain to FIFA and copy the clubs and they will have to sit up."