FIFA'S HAMMER FALLS ON NIGERIA

Blatter
Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has been suspended by the world's football governing body, FIFA following government interference. The decision to put in the cooler was reached at the emergency committee meeting of FIFA on Monday in Zurich. The full FIFA statement is reproduced below:

'The FIFA Emergency Committee decided today, 4 October 2010, to suspend the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) with immediate effect on account of government interference.

'This decision follows the latest events linked to the NFA, such as the court actions against elected members of the NFA Executive Committee preventing them from exercising their functions and duties, the stepping down of the acting NFA General Secretary on the instructions of the National Sports Commission (NSC), the decision of the Minister of Sports to have the Nigerian League start without relegation from the previous season, and the fact that the NFA Executive Committee cannot work properly due to this interference.

'The suspension will be maintained until the court actions have ceased and the duly elected NFA Executive Committee is able to work without any interference.

'During the period of suspension, the NFA will not be able to be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, and also not in friendly matches. In addition, neither the NFA nor any of its members or officials can benefit from any development programme, course, or training from FIFA or CAF while the federation remains suspended.'

With this development, Nigeria is automatically out of the Nations Cup qualifying series and the proposed African Women's Championship in South Africa.