Fifa gives Nigeria ultimatum over football ban

Nigeria's Aiyegbeni misses the goal during a 2010 World Cup football match against South Korea in Durban, 22 June

(Photo: Reuters)

By RFI

Fifa has given Nigeria until Monday to reverse its decision to remove their national football team from international matches. On Wednesday Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan announced that a two year ban would help Nigeria’s team “put its house in order” after they finished bottom of their World Cup group.

A letter was been sent to the Nigerian Football Federation on Friday giving them until 16:00 GMT on Monday to reverse their decision, according to Fifa spokesperson Nicolas Maingot.

“Failure to do so will lead to the suspension of the Nigerian federation,” he said.

Maingot said Fifa would also be sending an official to the country to find a solution, while Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke said he would meet a Nigerian executive member to discuss the decision.

“Nigeria went too far and Nigeria will be suspended if they don’t change their position in the next 48 hours,” said Valcke, during an interview on Talk Radio 702.

He said the possible suspension of Nigeria would be in line with their policy to keep political interference away from the sport.