FIFA Places Worldwide Ban on Nigerian Star From All Football Related Activities Over Doping

• Orji Okonkwo has been banned from all football-related activities for the next four years
• The former Nigeria junior international was initially banned in Italy over a doping scandal
• The Italian anti-doping organization then approached the world’s football governing body to sanction a worldwide ban on the striker

Former Nigeria U17 striker Orji Okonkwo has been banned by the world’s football governing body, FIFA, the NFF confirmed in a statement.

It was gathered that the former junior international had his four-year ban for a doping violation by the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal extended worldwide by the world's football governing body, FIFA.

The Italian anti-doping organization had approached FIFA to place a worldwide ban on the footballer and the Chairperson of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Jorge Ivan Palacio, confirmed the development.

Such a decision has been communicated to the player the decision complies with the regulations of FIFA, and extending the sanctions does not conflict with public order or with accepted standards of behaviour. The statement added:

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“Consequently, the Committee decided to extend the sanction imposed on the player by the Italian NADO on 20 June 2022. More specifically, the player is sanctioned with a four (4) years suspension from all football-related activities in accordance with the decision.”

The four-year ban on the player is between February 25, 2022, and February 24, 2026.

Former Kenyan football chief arrested

Meanwhile, former Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa has been arrested just a day after the state dropped corruption charges.

Mwendwa was let off the hook after the presiding Magistrate declined an application for adjournment.

However, the ousted football chief has been re-arrested and taken in for questioning. According to multiple sources, Mwendwa was apprehended on Thursday morning, July 7, at his home on Kiambu Road, Nairobi.

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Mathias Pogba arrested

Sports Brief earlier reported that Paul Pogba's elder brother Mathias Pogba has been arrested by authorities after he turned himself in France.

He becomes the fourth person to be taken into custody after three other people had been arrested by French authorities. Mathias is embroiled in a family feud with his brother, who allegedly uses witchcraft.

Pogba vehemently denied those accusations and accused his brother of being part of a ring that has been trying to extort him.