News Digest

FIFA lifts Nigeria’s suspension from international football

Nigeria’s suspension from international football was lifted on Friday, world governing body FIFA said. The African country was banned earlier this month due to government interference in the national federation’s affairs. Nigeria’s reinstatement comes after a reversal of the decision to oust senior members of the country’s football federation (NFF) following allegations of corruption.

FIFA has noted that the court proceedings and order preventing the president of the NFF, the NFF Executive Committee members and the NFF Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football that prompted the suspension have been withdrawn.

FIFA statement

A regional high court had ordered the dismissal of the NFF executive two weeks ago, a day after the Super Eagles were eliminated from the World Cup by France in the last-16. The court also mandated the sports minister to appoint a caretaker administrator, who swiftly called new elections. NFF president Aminu Maigari was also detained by police on his arrival back from Brazil, but later released. Following discussions between a Nigerian government delegation and FIFA, the court order has been revoked and the executive returned to their positions.