FIFA suspended Nigeria from international football on Monday because of "government interference" in the running of Nigerian football. World football's governing body said the decision followed a bid by the Minister of Sports to restart the league without relegations, pressure to oust the Nigerian Football Federation's acting general secretary and court action barring elected members of the federation's executive committee.
"The FIFA Emergency Committee decided today, 4 October 2010, to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with immediate effect on account of government interference," FIFA said in a statement. "During the period of suspension, the NFF will not be able to be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, and also not in friendly matches," it added.