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FIFA to monitor Nigeria over interference
Written by Duncan Wednesday, 07 July 2010
ShareFIFA will watch for any further signs of
political interference in Nigerian soccer, despite the Federal
Government‘s decision to rescind its ban on the national teams from
international competitions on Monday.
The world football
ruling body therefore lifted a threat to suspend Nigeria from all
FIFA-related activities, including an annual grant of $250,000.
FIFA
spokesman Nicolas Maingot told a news briefing in Johannesburg on
Tuesday that Nigeria had done what was required to have the suspension
threat lifted.
”But, of course, as usual in such cases,
we are monitoring the situation and we will continue to monitor the
situation,” he said.
”You always have to avoid political
interference... it is not that we are simply sending a letter. The work
goes further than that,” he added.
Jonathan‘s action
responded to widespread discontent in Nigeria with the team‘s dismal
performance, but FIFA is vehemently opposed to any political
interference and has suspended federations in the past over the same
issue.
The Presidency said on Monday that Jonathan
reversed his decision after the NFF agreed to disband the team and
after appeals from Nigerians including former leaders.
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