FIFA Suspends NFF!

The Fifa Emergency Committee has suspended the Nigerian Football Association (NFF) with immediate effect due to alleged "government interference".

The move comes after the dissolution of the NFF executive committee by the country's government and the detention of NFF president Aminu Maigari by the Department of the Dstate Security Service.

"The FIFA Emergency Committee has decided today, July 9, 2014, to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with immediate effect, on account of government interference," a statement read.

"The decision follows a letter sent by FIFA to the NFF on July 4, 2014, in which it expressed its great concern after the NFF was served with court proceedings and consequently an order preventing the president of the NFF, the NFF Executive Committee members and the NFF Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football was granted by a High Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"The said court order compelled the Nigerian Minister of Sports to appoint a senior member of the civil service to manage the NFF until the matter was heard in court, without giving any date for such a hearing.

"The authorities then appointed a person who decided to convene an extraordinary general assembly on 5 July 2014. This extraordinary general assembly was convened in violation of the NFF statutes.

"Originally, an elective congress had been planned by the NFF to take place on August 26, 2014.

"The suspension will be lifted once the court actions have been withdrawn and the properly elected NFF Executive Committee, the NFF general assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without any interference in their affairs."

The Fifa Emergency Committe added that neither the Nigeria national team nor any of the country's clubs will be able to participate in any "regional, continental or international competitions" until the situation is risolved to its satisfation.

Consequently, the nation will be prevented from competing in the upcoming Fifa U-20 Women's World Cup unless the suspension is lifted by July 15.

-goal.com