Fifa have banned Nigeria from all international football because of government interference with its football federation.
Under the terms of the suspension, no Nigerian team, including clubs, can play international games. The punishment was a response to the Nigerian Minister of Sports' decision to appoint a senior member of the civil service as head of the football federation following their World Cup exit.
A statement from Fifa’s emergency committee said: “
The Fifa Emergency Committee has decided today, July 9, 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The suspension will be lifted once the court actions have been withdrawn and the properly elected NFF Executive Committee, the NFF general assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without any interference in their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.
With the nation's future in the Africa Cup of Nations in doubt, we may see interest by Premier League clubs in Nigerian players reach an all-time high. No more pesky January international leaves might be the only positive result of the ban.
Het tip: Irish Examiner
