Officials, players and fans reacted with disbelief following the country’s suspension by FIFA as a result of government interference in the running of the game in Nigeria.

On Monday, FIFA announced that the country has been banned from all levels of football until the elected board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is allowed to function without government interference.

The most immediate casualty of the FIFA ban is this weekend’s 2012 Africa Cup qualifier away to Guinea.

Nigeria’s foreign-based professionals were expected to join up with their counterparts from the local league on Monday in a training camp in Abuja.

“This is what the government wanted and they have got. It’s unfortunate that just a handful of people are playing us around like footballs,” a former Nigeria international said.

“It will be interesting to get to know what the sports minister will tell Nigerians now.”

Agent Bertrand Ekenwa said FIFA will not go back on their pronouncement and as such Nigeria must have to abide by the ruling.

“FIFA have always kicked against government interference. So, why should Nigeria be a different case,” a furious Ekenwa said.

“Nigerian football has been put in jeopardy because of a selfish few. It’s only a madman that will think of challenging FIFA.”