Nigeria faces FIFA suspension over government interference

John Bagratuni, dpa

Nigeria faces suspension from international football over government interference in the running of the sport in the African nation in the wake of the team's World Cup exit, the ruling body FIFA said.

FIFA said Nigerian Football Federation president Aminu Maigari was detained after the team's return from the Brazil tournament after Monday's 2-0 defeat against France in the round of 16.

It said that the sports minister has convened an extraordinary NFF congress for Saturday but that FIFA only recognizes the federation's elective congress set for August 26. It has given Nigeria a Tuesday deadline to restore the elected leadership.

"Only decisions and persons elected then will be considered legitimate," FIFA said.

"FIFA has reminded the NFF that all FIFA member associations have to manage their affairs independently and without influence of any third parties as clearly stipulated in articles 13, par. 1 and 17, par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes. The above mentioned actions are preventing the NFF from managing its affairs independently and are considered by FIFA as undue interference in the NFF affairs."

The NFF has been asked to relay FIFA's position to the relevant authorities and inform them that if the aforementioned NFF officials are not fully reinstated by Tuesday the case will be referred to the appropriate FIFA bodies for sanctions, including the potential suspension of the NFF."

Nigerian authorities also interfered with NFF matters twice after the team's group stage elimination at the 2010 World Cup but eventually caved into FIFA suspension threats on both occasions.