Nigeria are facing possible suspension by FIFA following President Goodluck Jonathan’s announcement that the country’s football team will be banned from competing internationally for two years following their poor World Cup performance.
Jonathan’s decree includes the Nigerian Football Federation being dissolved and an interim board appointed. FIFA’s rules specifically prohibit governments from involvement with the running of national federations and it has the power to suspend any federation where there is evidence of such interference.
FIFA communications director Nicolas Maingot said: “FIFA have today sent a letter to the Nigeria Football Federation indicating that the government of Nigeria has until Monday at 6pm to cancel its direction to withdraw Nigeria’s participation from all FIFA and CAF competitions for the next two years.
“Failure to do so will lead to the suspension of the NFF. Also the management committee set up by the Nigeria government will not be recognised by FIFA.
“FIFA executive committee member Dr Amos Adamu [from Nigeria] will be in Nigeria on Monday for a last mediation attempt.”
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.”
The decision was also under fire internally, with Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) chairman Otunba Yisa Olatunde Basorun claiming it would not help the team.
“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,” he told Reuters. “[The president’s] decision is in haste, and I don’t think it is better for our football.”
But Former NFF chairman Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima told the BBC the government was acceding to the wishes of the fans. “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.”