Nigeria is facing possible suspension from FIFA. The country’s football team will be banned from competing internationally for two years, announced by the President Goodluck Jonathan, following their poor World Cup performance.
Jonathan’s decree includes the appointment an interim board and Nigerian Football Federation being dissolved. From involvement with the running of national federations, FIFA’s rules specifically prohibit governments and it has the power to suspend any federation where there is evidence of such interference.
“The worst sanction available is that a national association can be expelled but this is not related to either of the two cases. In terms of Nigeria, we have received official information from their government. We are looking at both cases. FIFA has a very clear position on political interference but it is premature to speak further about either case”, said FIFA communications director Nicolas Maingot.
Special presidential adviser Ima Niboro said: “President Goodluck Jonathan has directed that Nigeria withdraws from international competition for two years to enable the country to put its house in order. This directive became necessary following Nigeria’s poor performance in the ongoing World Cup.”
With Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) chairman Otunba Yisa Olatunde Basorun claiming it would not help the team, the decision was also under fire internally.
“We should go by asking the old players to leave, and probably bring in new players and play friendly matches so that we can groom the younger players, [The president's] decision is in haste, and I don’t think it is better for our football”, he said.
“The Nigerian people want reforms carried out in the national football team following a string of poor performances by the Super Eagles in the past years. So it is only natural that the government acts according to the will of the people,” he said. [It] is a welcome development.” former NFF chairman Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima told the BBC.
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