Nigerian President "bans" national team for two years

June 30 – Nigeria have been suspended from international football for the next two years – by the country’s President.

Goodluck Jonathan announced that the country will not take any part in international football – which would mean they will miss the 2012 African Cup of Nations - following their disappointing performance at the World Cup in South Africa.

“Mr President has directed that Nigeria will withdraw from all international football competition for the next two years to enable Nigeria to reorganise its football,” said Ima Niboro, Jonathan’s senior communications adviser.

“This directive became necessary following Nigeria’s poor performance in the ongoing FIFA World Cup.”

The Government will also carry out a full audit of accounts of the country’s World Cup organising committee to see if money has been stolen.

“If any financial misappropriation is discovered, all officials responsible will be held accountable,” Niboro said.

Nigeria finished bottom of their group in South Africa after registering a draw and two losses in the three games.

“We need to reorganise the structures and there is need to withdraw from all international football competition so that we can put our house in order,” said Niboro.

Niboro said that the game in Nigeria would be comprehensively restructured following the performance.

“The problem of Nigerian football is structural,” he said.

“We need to reorganise the structures and there is need to withdraw from all international football competition so that we can put our house in order.”

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) also issued an apology to “all football-loving Nigerians” for the team’s performances at the World Cup, and said there would be more friendly matches in future to better prepare the team for high-calibre opposition.

But FIFA takes a strong stance against political interference in the sport and could impose sanctions on Nigeria following the decision.

“We have had no official information from the Nigerian FA about this case specifically but in general FIFA’s policy towards political interference is well known,” said a spokesman for FIFA.

“Our statutes do not allow for any political interference.”

It is the second time a Nigerian president has directly involved himself in the running of the national team.

In 1996, then-President Sani Abacha pulled the team out of the African Cup of Nations after being criticised by South Africa’s Nelson Mandela over political executions.

The teams was banned from the Confederation of African Football because of the withdrawal and were were unable to compete for two years.

Qualification for the 2012 African Cup of Nations finals begins in September, when Nigeria were due to play Madagascar.