FIFA lifts Nigeria’s suspension
By Abiodun Elegbede
World’s football governing body, FIFA, has lifted the suspension it imposed on Nigeria.
The lifting of the suspension followed the reinstatement of the Board of the Nigeria Football Federation led by Alhaji Aminu Maigari.
FIFA’s letter conveying the lifting of the suspension reads: “FIFA has today, 18 July 2014, lifted the suspension that was imposed on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on 9 July 2014 on account of interference.
“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members and the NFF Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football that prompted the suspension have been withdrawn.
“As statutory order has been reinstated at the NFF and the legitimate bodies reinstalled, FIFA has decided to lift the suspension as of today, Friday 18 July 2014.
“The lifting of the suspension means that all rights of the NFF as a FIFA member as defined in article 12 of the FIFA Statutes are reinstated.”
FIFA had earlier given Nigeria up till July 15 to reinstate Maigari or face total ban.
The deadline was moved to July 17, following a strike by judiciary workers.
Baribote eventually withdrew the suit on Wednesday.