Date Published: 06/28/10

Govt. Interference in Football: FIFA may ban Nigeria

Nigeria could be banned by FIFA due to government interference in the running of football in the country.

In a letter to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) signed by FIFA general-secretary, Jerome Valcke, the football governing body warned that Nigeria would be sanctioned if there is any evidence of government interference in the running of football in the country.

The National Sports Commission (NSC), which is headed by sports minister Ibrahim Bio, had before the World Cup ordered the NFF to suspend all electoral processes, but the NFF insisted on proceeding with a time-table for the polls.

The NFF went ahead to inform FIFA of this direct interference by government in the running of football in Nigeria and the world football governing body has in turn warned that the country risk a ban should such meddling continue.

Earlier in the week, FIFA president Sepp Blatter rejected a request by Ibrahim Bio to stop elections to the executive committee of the NFF which have been scheduled for August 21 in Lagos.

NFF president Sani Lulu, a civil servant, is seeking re-election, along with most of the current executive.

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