Lagos, Jul 10 (IANS): The world football governing body FIFA Wednesday announced the suspension of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) with immediate effect.
In a statement by FIFA's Media Office, the football body said the suspension was on account of government interference, reports Xinhua.
Article 13, paragraph 1 and article 17 paragraph 1 of the FIFA Statutes oblige member-associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties.
The decision follows a letter sent by FIFA to the NFA July 4, in which it expressed its great concern after the NFA was served with court proceedings and consequently an order.
The order preventing the Chairman of the NFA, the NFA Executive Committee members and the NFA Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football was granted by a Nigerian High Court.
The said court order compelled the Nigerian Minister of Sports to appoint a senior member of the civil service to manage the NFA until the matter was heard in court, without giving any date for such a hearing.
The authorities then appointed a person who decided to convene an Extraordinary General Assembly (EGA) July 5 and this EGA was convened in violation of the NFA Statutes.
The FIFA statement added, however, that Nigeria's suspension would be lifted once the court actions have been withdrawn.