Nigeria ban: Court quashes lawsuit against corrupt NFF

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Thursday, July 17th, 2014

Nigeria have met Fifa’s conditions to lift its ban on the country after a regional high court quashed an order restraining the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from office.

Fifa punished Nigeria for government interference after the NFF board was replaced by a sole administrator.

A 17 July deadline was given to reverse the decision, despite the government’s claim it was a matter for the courts.

On Wednesday a private legal action was withdrawn, allowing the NFF to return.

Nigeria were also temporarily banned by Fifa after the 2010 World Cup when the country’s president Goodluck Jonathan tried to withdraw the team from international competition

Fifa, who extended the original deadline from 15 July because of a judiciary workers’ strike in Nigeria, has yet to announce whether it will now end the country’s suspension from all international football.

It mean Nigeria’s participation in the Under-20 Women’s World Cup that starts in August in Canada remains under threat – as well as the men’s under-17 side’s participation in an African Championship qualifier this weekend.

BBC Sport understands reinstated NFF general secretary Musa Amadu has subsequently communicated to Fifa the latest developments in the hope that the governing body will ease its stance.

“Aggrieved parties have agreed to put the country before personal interest and this is a bold step in our quest to have the ban lifted,” said a top official who preferred not to be named.

“This should have been sorted earlier but you know that a judiciary workers’ strike led to it being delayed.

“We are extremely confident now that Fifa will be happy that we got everything resolved before the new deadline.”

The Super Eagles are expected to defend their Africa Cup of Nations title when qualifying matches start in September. The tournament kicks off next January in Morocco.

–BBCwp_posts