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President bans Nigeria team

ABUJA: The President of Nigeria has suspended the national football team from international competition for two years after a poor showing at the World Cup.

Ima Niboro, a spokesman for President Goodluck Jonathan, made the announcement on Wednesday, saying the ban would enable the country to reorganise its football administration.

Niboro said that all funding of the World Cup squad, including the hiring of Swedish coach Lars Lagerback, would be investigated.

Nigeria left the World Cup competition with just one point after being held to a 2-2 draw by South Korea in its last game. Nigeria lost to Argentina 1-0 in its Group ‘B' opener and fell to Greece 2-1 in a game turned by the first half expulsion of midfielder Sani Kaita.

The Super Eagles haven't won a World Cup match since 1998, going out with two losses and a draw in 2002 and failing to qualify for Germany 2006.

Apology

The Nigerian Football Federation's executive committee had earlier tendered an apology to the government and “all football loving Nigerians” for the early exit.

Nigeria risks being banned by FIFA from all international football because of the political interference.

“At the time of writing, we have no official information on this matter,” FIFA said in a statement. “However, in general, FIFA's position regarding political interference in football is well known.”

Nigeria's next scheduled international match is a qualifier for the 2012 African Cup of Nations, at home to Madagascar in early September.

FIFA statutes demand that national federations manage their affairs independently, or face suspension from world football.

National and club teams, plus referees, would be barred from participating in international matches and football officials are prevented from attending meetings.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter had already expressed concern over the French government's investigation into France's first round exit from the World Cup. — AP

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