By Andrew Warshaw
July 10 – FIFA has suspended Nigeria from all international football as the fallout from the country’s World Cup pay dispute intensifies. The Nigerians failed to meet a FIFA deadline to stop government interference in the affairs of country’s national federation (NFF) and now faces the prospect of being excluded from the under-20 women’s World Cup in Canada starting next month.
Effective immediately, the suspension was issued after Nigerian football officials, notably NFF president Aminu Maigari, were fired following the team’s World Cup exit amid a dispute over player bonuses. FIFA has set a new July 15 deadline to resolve the problem.
The NFF was served with court proceedings preventing Maigari and his board from running the federation and the Nigerian authorities issued an order for the sports ministry to appoint new football leaders.
FIFA warned the government to reverse its decision and reinstate the NFF board but no such assurance had been received by yesterday’s deadline. Hence the FIFA emergency committee decided to suspend the NFF “on account of government interference” in violation of FIFA statutes.
“The suspension will be lifted once the court actions have been withdrawn. During the period of suspension, the NFF may not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, or in friendly matches.”
Nigeria reached the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time since 1998 but lost 2-0 to France in the round of 16. Before that game, players rebelled against the federation after not receiving monies they said they were due.
Four years ago Nigeria were also temporarily banned by FIFA following the 2010 World Cup when the country’s president Goodluck Jonathan tried to withdraw the team from international competition until it improved.
Nigeria is scheduled to begin the defense of its African Cup of Nations title when qualifying matches start in September but the current issue seems certain to be resolved by then.
More important for Nigeria and FIFA will be to find a solution in time for the women’s team to take their place at the U-20 finals in Canada.
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