Nigeria has now been delisted from the International Maths Olympiad, whose finals are happening in Shanghai, China, this July.
It is one of the most prestigious academic competitions in the world.
Nigeria can now only participate as an observer nation, while other countries can participate fully.
This was because of the Ministry of Education’s inability to fund students for 4 consecutive years through National Mathematical Center.
It’s a big shame for Nigeria.
When Sir Ferguson had enough of Roy Keane, the same person now trash talking and lying about things Bruno Fernandes didn’t say, while also talking about what it means to be a leader when he was a terrible leader himself.
Not a Manchester United legend 🚮
Something interesting is brewing
Iran just told FIFA they will not attend the 2026 World Cup. The tournament is hosted by the country that just bombed them. This may have far reaching implications on the tournament. Let me give you the full context.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched joint airstrikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In the first 12 days of the conflict, 1,255 people were killed and more than 12,000 wounded.
Iran retaliated with missiles and drones aimed at Israel and US military bases across the Middle East. The two countries are, for all practical purposes, at war.
The 2026 World Cup will be running from June 11 to July 19, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iran were drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt.
All 3 of their group stage matches were scheduled for American cities with two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
This morning, FIFA President Gianni Infantino met Donald Trump and announced that Iran were welcome to compete. Iran's sports minister Ahmad Donyamali however went on state television within hours and said their children are not safe and that the conditions for participation simply do not exist and that under no circumstances are they going.
Now here is the legal position. Article 6.2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 regulations states that any participating member association withdrawing more than 30 days before the tournament faces a minimum fine of CHF 250,000. Fewer than 30 days before kickoff that rises to a minimum of CHF 500,000.
Iran would also be required to reimburse all preparation and participation funds received from FIFA, totalling approximately $10.5 million, and could face exclusion from the 2030 World Cup entirely.
Article 6.7 gives FIFA sole discretion on what happens next. It states that FIFA shall decide on the matter and take whatever action is deemed necessary, including replacing Iran with another association. That replacement would most likely come from the AFC.
Iraq, who beat the UAE 3-2 on aggregate in a qualifying playoff, are currently scheduled to play an intercontinental playoff against Bolivia or Suriname on March 31. If Iraq qualify and Iran withdraw, Iraq step in. If Iraq lose that playoff, the UAE become the most likely candidate.
I should have you know that the regulations give discretion to FIFA to pick who replaces Iran. It doesnt have to be from Asia. But there is very weak historical precedent for this as the last time a team pulled out of the World cup as far as I know was 1950 and there were no replacements then.
We will see what precedents FIFA sets now.
As regards the fines for withdrawal, I predict that FIFA will invoke force majeure, the legal concept covering unforeseen events beyond a party's control, which would potentially absolve Iran of the financial penalties entirely.
A country being bombed by the tournament's host nation is about as clear a case of force majeure as you will ever see in sports law.
What do you think? Who should replace Iran at the World Cup?
My name is Ajoje. I am a FIFA Licensed Agent and International Sports Lawyer. I write on the Law and Business of Football, a lot. Repost and Follow if you want to read more posts like this.
#FIFA #Iran #WorldCup
NIGERIA IS A MASSIVE CRIME SCENE.
For those who may not be aware,
I will share a little true-life story that will shock you to the bones about this money.
Actually the money found in this Lagos apartment in 2017 was not only 43million dollars. They also found £28,000 and 23million naira ALL IN CASH at the apartment. Yes, ALL IN CASH.
Guess who the owner of that apartment is? A former director of the NIA and former ambassador of Nigeria to commonwealth. A gentleman called Chief Ayo Oke.
By February 7, 2019; two years later after the money was found in his apartment, the Federal High Court in Lagos issued a warrant for the arrest of Chief Oke, former director general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and his wife Folasade following an application by EFCC. Just before their court date, they reportedly left the country for “medical treatment”.
The EFCC then declared the couple wanted after their failure to respond to court summons. They were charged with the theft and laundering of staggering amounts of public money. One of the EFCC charges relates to roughly $43 million, £28 thousand, and ₦23 million—all in cash—that the EFCC found in this their Lagos apartment following the 2017 raid.
Another charge by the EFCC against th couple relates to $160 million that the couple allegedly diverted from the Nigerian federal government for their own use.
In 2017, after this scandalous discovery of money in his apartment, Chief Oke was suspended as director general of the NIA. The then Vice president of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo headed a committee that investigated the incident and recommended to President Buhari that the director general be removed.
Till today, NOBODY knows what happened to that money and where that money is right now. As I said above, it was not just 43 million dollars found in that house. The also found £28,000 and 23 million Naira ALL in cash. In that same apartment. On that same day in April 2017.
Now for the icing on the cake:
Guess where Chief Ayodele Oke is now?
He is quietly back in the country after Tinubu freshly nominated him few weeks ago as an ambassador. Yes, the same man who fled the country and evaded the courts when suspicious millions of dollars was found in his apartment. He is now an ambassador representing our country before the international community.
And no, what you just read now is NOT fiction, it is not nollywood and it is not a wild imagination.
Every single detail I shared here is true.
You can google it and fact-check me.
Good morning: happy Sunday.
“I’ve withdrawn my support for the Super Eagles, whether they win AFCON or not, I don’t care. It’s your money but you’re disgracing the country by protesting for your money where you’re doing it.”
- Charles Anazado slams the Super Eagles for protesting for their unpaid bonuses.