FIFA, which does not allow government interference on member associations, had given the country a deadline of yesterday to withdraw the ban or face tougher sanctions, like the suspension of its clubs and referees of international tournaments and the interruption of financial aid and payments.
Jonathan’s office released a statement saying the decision to overturn the ban was taken following a meeting with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), which fired its president and vice president to indicate it is already restructuring itself.
According to the statement, the federation “assured the president of their commitment to evolving an enduring football development program, and grow a new senior national team that will bring glory, rather than consistent embarrassment to Nigeria on the world stage.”
FIFA could not confirm yesterday if the NFF had yet been paid any of the $8 million prize money it is entitled for its participation in the World Cup.
