Fifa has suspended Nigeria from international competition because of government interference in the sport.

The decision was taken on Monday after several members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) were hauled before the law courts.

Fifa rules prohibit any government intervention with its members.

"The Fifa Emergency Committee decided today, to suspend the NFF with immediate effect on account of government interference," Fifa said.

"During the period of suspension, the NFF will not be able to be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, and also not in friendly matches," the Fifa statement added.

Nigeria's ban from international football leaves their weekend's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea in Conakry in doubt.

The world governing body said the ban follows a bid by Nigeria's Minister of Sports to restart the league without relegations from the previous season.

The decision by the Nigeria Sports Commission to force the NFF's secretary-general Musa Amadu to stand down from his position did not go down well with Fifa.

A court action barring the newly-elected members of the NFF also drew the ire of the world governing body.

The NFF board led by Aminu Maigari has not been able to operate because a Lagos High Court ruled that the elections that brought him to power in August were null and void.

A group known as the National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF) dragged the newly-elected board of the NFF to court for allegedly defying a court not to proceed with the polls of 26 August.

Subsequently, Nigerian Fifa committee member executive Amos Adamu, NFF president Maigari, his vice-president, Mike Umeh as well as acting secretary-general of the NFF, Musa Amadu were hauled before the court.

The NFF has been dogged by controversies since the team's elimination in the first round of the World Cup in South Africa in June.

Onlytruth:

FIFA is becoming a god and I hate any god that is not the almighty God himself.

The last time government wanted Nigeria to stay away from international games for 2 years, FIFA threatened a ban. Now, they have banned Nigeria for trying to enforce our criminal laws. So, since when did FIFA replace the government of Nigeria?

If we don't act fast to reclaim our sovereignty, FIFA will start ruling Nigeria from Zurich.

Kobojunkie:

WOW . . . . so FIFA is to blame now??

Kobojunkie:

WOW . . . . so FIFA is to blame now??  

Ibro Yaya:

Sure FIFA is to be blamed!
Where is government intervention here?
NFF election was held and was challenged in court by some group of people. Is that wrong?

ZURICH, Switzerland -- FIFA suspended Nigerian soccer's governing body for government interference on Monday, almost certainly preventing the country from taking part in qualifying for the African Cup of Nations this weekend.

Several developments led to FIFA imposing the suspension, including court actions against elected members of the Nigerian Football Federation executive committee, the federation's general secretary stepping down on orders from the government-run National Sports Commission, and the decision of the sports minister to start the Nigerian league without relegation from the previous season.

FIFA rules prohibit government interference with national governing bodies.

Nigeria had been due to play in Guinea in its second qualifier in Group B the African Cup on Sunday.

FIFA says the suspension will last until "the duly elected NFF executive committee is able to work without any interference," meaning none of the country's teams are allowed to take part in any competition "regional, continental or international."

Calls to NFF officials seeking comment were not answered.

Nigeria's federation was threatened with a similar ban in July when the country's president, Goodluck Jonathan, said he would pull the national team out of competition because of its poor showing at the World Cup. Jonathan backed down following an ultimatum from FIFA.

However, FIFA said at the time it would continue monitoring Nigerian soccer for possible government interference.

Four leaders of Nigeria's federation were fired and charged with corruption in court actions last month after allegedly embezzling money from the team's World Cup funds. Their cases are set to resume this week.

Investigators accuse former federation president Sani Lulu, ex-vice president Amanze Ugbulam, former technical committee member Taiwo Ogunjobi and ex-general secretary Bolaji Ojo-Oba of embezzling more than $6 million in tournament funding.

The four are accused of buying inferior buses for the team and keeping the remaining money. They also purportedly paid out $800,000 in travel costs for 220 delegates to the World Cup in South Africa. Of those, only 47 were federation officials with the rest being the men's "friends, associates, girlfriends and relations," said Femi Babafemi, a spokesman for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

snowdrops:

FIFA have clearly stated the conditions that must be met before the ban is reversed. I believe they are achievable.
Pity it is coming leading to the ANC qualifier.

On the flip side it is sad for Nigeria, sad for Africa and sad for football. Nigerian football, the administrators and the sour relationship with FIFA.

charliwell:

What will this generation enjoy? no work, and now no football, It is a shame!!!

charliwell:

What will this generation enjoy? no work, and now no football, It is a shame!!!

supereagle:

Rubbish When NFF needs money they run to Govt for a bail out, when things are going wrong, Govt cant interfere. to hell with FIFA.  

Kilode?!:

It's simple, if you can't follow their rule don't join their Federation.

supereagle:

Rubbish When NFF needs money they run to Govt for a bail out, when things are going wrong, Govt cant interfere. to hell with FIFA.