Nigeria lifts Nigeria ban
Nigeria will be allowed to face Guinea in the African Cup of Nations this weekend after FIFA lifted the ban that was placed on the country.
FIFA had suspended Nigeria indefinitely from taking part in all international football competitions, but Nigeria will now be able to play at Conakry.
The Confederation of African footballs Media Director, Suleiman Habuba said: "The game will go ahead because the suspension on Nigeria has been provisionally lifted.”
FIFA have yet to confirm why they have lifted the ban.
The decision to suspend Nigeria was taken last Monday after a number of newly elected Nigerian officials at the Nigerian Football Fedration were brought before the courts for their country's hugely disappointing
2010 World Cup campaign. FIFA's policy strongly forbid any external government interference in a country's football programs.
The NFF president Aminu Maigari, vice president Mike Umeh, secretary-general Musa Amadu and FIFA committee member executive Amos Amadu were forced by the Nigerian authorities to face the Nigeria legal
system and courts.
The officials were alleged to have defied a court ruling to proceed with polls taken from the August election.
Relations between FIFA had already become strained when the secretary general of the NFF Musa Amadu was forced to step by the Nigerian government.
FIFA were also angered by the Nigeria sports minister’s refusal to regulate the national league at the end of last season.
On Monday a FIFA statement was issued and read, The FIFA Emergency Committee decided today to suspend the NFF with immediate effect on account of government interference.”
The statement continued, “During the period of suspension, the NFF will not be able to be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, and also not in
friendly matches."
However, FIFA have made a quick decision to lift the suspension for Nigeria’s match with Guinea.
The news will be welcomed by the Nigeria fans and players while the Nigerian government will see this as a victory.
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