20100702
africanews

Nigeria could be expelled from FIFA as a consequence of the West African President Goodluck Jonathan's announcement on Wednesday, June 30, that he has banned the Super Eagles from competition for two years as punishment for their poor performance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

FIFA are investigating the Nigerian President's announcement, which also includes the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, being dissolved and an interim board appointed.

Goal.com writes that; “If the world governing body decides there has been unacceptable government interference then the country could be expelled.”

Joseph Sepp Blatter, FIFA’s boss, has already warned France's government against their involvement in the French federation's affairs, and under FIFA rules national associations can be suspended or expelled if there is such interference.

FIFA communications director Nicolas Maingot mentioned in a release that: "The worst sanction available is that a national association can be expelled but this is not related to either of the two cases. In terms of Nigeria we have received official information from their government. We are looking at both cases. FIFA has a very clear position on political interference but it is premature to speak further about either case."

Special presidential adviser, Ima Niboro in a news conference on June 30 in Abuja, Nigeria said: "President Goodluck Jonathan has directed that Nigeria withdraws from international competition for two years to enable the country to put its house in order. This directive became necessary following Nigeria's poor performance in the ongoing World Cup."

Nigeria finished bottom of Group B behind Argentina, South Korea and Greece in the first World Cup being hosted in Africa by the Republic of South Africa.