PtG Article 05.10.2010

FIFA suspends Nigeria over government interference

FIFA suspended the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) yesterday because of government interference in the federation’s work.

The FIFA Emergency Committee listed several cases of government interference as justification for its decision to suspend the federation. Among these were the court actions against elected members of the NFF, the instructions from the National Sports Commission for the acting NFF General Secretary to step down, and the Sports Minister’s decision to start the Nigerian League without relegation from the previous season.

FIFA argued that the NFF Executive Committee was unable to work properly due to this interference, and said that the suspension will be maintained until the court actions have ceased and the NFF is able to work without interference.

SOURCE: Sport Business