African wire services are reporting that the Nigerian Goverrnment has lifted its ban on the national team taking part in international competitions. The decision has been widely welcomed and means the end to a very tricky crisis in international football.
African wire services are reporting that the Nigerian Goverrnment has lifted its ban on the national team taking part in international competitions. The decision has been widely welcomed and means the end to a very tricky crisis in international football.
The decision was taken after ameeting between the President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, and the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at the Presidential villa. The Government’s decision was said to be based on assurances that the NFF would provide a football development programme for the country. The current national team has been disbanded.
The decision of the Nigerian Government was within the deadlne of 6 p.m. on Monday set in a ultimatum by Fifa. Fifa Secretary-General Jerome Valcke is reported as stating that the original Nigerian Government decision wouyld only completely isolate Nigerian football and thus stall reforms and further development and improvement of Nigerian football for a long time.
There was some feeling in Nigeria that Fifa would not have acted so decisively and quickly if it had not been a Global South country. It could be argued that France’s President Sarkozy got off relatively lightly in comparison with no Fifa tanks sent to ring the Elysée Palace. However, his intervention, whilst coming close to breaking the Fifa rule on political interference in football, was more rhetorical than leading to any immediate action.