Nigeria Lifts 2-Year Ban on Football Team

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has recalled a two-year ban on the country’s national football team, beating a FIFA ultimatum that could have resulted in stiffer sanctions. A government source told AFP that the government lifted the ban on Monday, just ahead of a 5pm FIFA deadline.

Jonathan imposed the ban several days ago as punishment for Nigeria’s dismal showing at the World Cup, where the team was eliminated in the group stages after collecting only a single point on two losses and a draw. However, the FIFA intervened in the situation, saying the international football regulating body’s laws prohibit governments from imposing their will on national football associations.

The FIFA warned over the weekend that it would ban the Nigerian team if the government would not recall the suspension. Fearing a longtime ban from the FIFA, the Nigerian Football Federation appealed to Jonathan, even as several key members of the NFF were impeached over alleged misuse of funds.