FIFA has suspended Nigeria from all international football amid allegations of government interference in its football federation.
The ban was announced this evening, and it means no Nigerian team – including club sides – can play internationally.
FIFA’s decision was made after a court order compelled the Nigerian Minister of Sports to appoint a senior member of the civil service to take over the running of the Nigeria Football Federation.
A statement from FIFA’s emergency committee said: “The FIFA Emergency Committee has decided today, 9 July 2014, to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with immediate effect, on account of government interference.
“The suspension will be lifted once the court actions have been withdrawn and the properly elected NFF Executive Committee, the NFF general assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without any interference in their affairs.”
Nigeria performed above expectations at this summer’s World Cup – reaching the second round before being eliminated by France.
Source: Evening Standard