Dejected: Danny Shittu (left) and Kalu Uche sit dejected after being knocked out of the World Cup
Nigeria president Goodluck Jonathan has suspended the national team from international competition for the next two years following their poor performance at the World Cup.
The not-so Super Eagles crashed out in the first round after picking up just one point in Group C and finishing bottom behind Argentina, South Korea and Greece.
FIFA take a dim view of political interference in national football federations and say they are yet to receive official confirmation of the president's actions.
Ima Niboro, a special adviser to Jonathan, said: 'Mr President has directed that Nigeria will withdraw from all international football competition for the next two years to enable Nigeria to reorganise its football.
'This directive became necessary following Nigeria's poor performance in the ongoing FIFA World Cup.'
FIFA responded in a statement: 'We have no official information on this matter. However, in general, FIFA's position regarding political interference in football is well known.'
In previous cases, FIFA have suspended a national association where governments have intervened in the running of the game.
The Nigerian FA have apologised for the team's showing, saying in a statement: 'Discipline will continue to be key issue in Nigerian national team camps, national youth teams will be exposed to more international tournaments and the senior teams will be made to play more friendly games.'
0 comments:
Post a Comment