Implications of FIFA Ban on Nigeria

World football governing body, FIFA on Wednesday suspended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on account of government interference.

FIFA gave Nigeria a July 8th deadline to reinstate the ousted Aminu Maigari led executive board, or face the suspension.

Last week a court ruling in Jos, sacked the entire board of the NFF, mandating the sports minister Tamuno Danagogo to appoint a new sole administrator for the federation.

FIFA Emergency Committee said in a statement that it decided:  “to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation with immediate effect, on account of government interference. Article 13, par. 1 and article 17, par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes oblige member associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties.”

Implications of the ban:

• As a result of this decision, no team from Nigeria of any sort (including clubs) can have any international sporting contact (art. 14 par. 3 of the FIFA Statutes).

• During the period of suspension, the NFF may not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, or in friendly matches.

• In addition, neither the NFF nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any FIFA or CAF development programmes, courses or training during the suspension period.

Immediate implications of the ban:

• The Nigerian under-20 Women's team(Falconets) will miss the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada taking place from August 5-24.

• The Golden Eaglets will forego an U-17 African qualifier in Democratic Republic of Congo,which should have been played on July 20.

The ban follows a letter sent by FIFA to the NFF on 4 July 2014, in which it expressed its great concern after the NFF was served with court proceedings and consequently an order preventing the president of the NFF, the NFF Executive Committee members and the NFF Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football was granted by a High Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to FIFA, the ban will be lifted once the court actions have been withdrawn and the properly elected NFF Executive Committee, the NFF general assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without any interference in their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.