FIFA sets Monday deadline for Nigeria to reverse ban

Football governing body FIFA yesterday gave Nigeria until Monday 6 p.m. to reverse its decision to ban the national football team from international matches following its poor showing at the World Cup in South Africa.

FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said that a letter had been sent to the Nigerian Football Federation yesterday setting the deadline to reverse the decision withdrawing the Nigerian national team from international matches.

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

Maingot also said that FIFA would send an official to the west African country to seek a solution to the impasse which followed the decision by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan to ban the Nigerian national team from international matches following its disappointing first round exit at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Traditional African powerhouse Nigeria finished bottom of their group in South Africa with just one point from three matches.

Valcke meeting

Earlier, FIFA's general secretary Jerome Valcke told reporters he would meet the Nigerian executive member representing Nigeria at FIFA 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," Valcke commented in an interview with independent Talk Radio 702.

"You can't allow a government to say all national teams can't play anymore in any international tournaments."

He said the decision to suspend Nigeria would be in line with the governing body's efforts to retain the independence of football from political interference.