July 2 – FIFA have given the Nigerian Government until Monday (July 5) to rescind its withdrawal of the country’s national teams from competition or face suspension.
President Goodluck Jonathan said two days ago that Nigeria will play international matches for two years after the nation’s first-round exit at the World Cup in South Africa.
FIFA opposes Government intervention in the affairs of national football federations.
Amos Adamu, a Nigerian member of FIFA’s executive committee, will try a final mediation on Monday, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said today.
“After Monday 6pm, if nothing has changed, FIFA will suspend them,” Valcke said.
According to FIFA’s statutes, member associations are obliged “to manage their affairs independently and ensure that their own affairs are not influenced by any third parties.”
Related stories
June 2010: Nigerian President “bans” national team for two years
June 2010: FIFA reject Nigerian Government plea to hold onto World Cup cash
June 2010: Okocha fails to get Nigerian Football Federation elections stopped
April 2010: World Cup ban threat hanging over Nigeria