Nigerian president bans Super Eagles

June 30, 2010


Nigeria president Goodluck Jonathan has suspended the country's national team from international competition for two years in response to a disappointing World Cup campaign.


Nigeria failed to make it out of the group stage and failed to win a game, though a late goal in a 2-2 draw with South Korea would have been enough to see them progress from Group B with three points.

President Jonathan has now withdrawn the Super Eagles from international competitions until 2012 in an effort to "enable Nigeria to reorganise its football" according to advisor Ima Niboro.

"This directive became necessary following Nigeria's poor performance in the ongoing World Cup," Niboro added.

FIFA said in a statement: "We have no official information on this matter. However, in general, FIFA's position regarding political interference in football is well known."

FIFA is vehemently opposed to governmental interference in football matters and Sepp Blatter has already warned French president Nicolas Sarkozy after he said he would investigate the team's disappointing campaign in South Africa.

FIFA banned Greece and the country's clubs from international competition in July 2006 in protest at government interference, though the suspension was lifted eight days later after the laws in question were amended.