On June 30, 2010, President Goodluck Jonathan suspended Nigeria’s national soccer team from all international competition for two years following the Super Eagles’ poor showing at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Presidential spokesman Ima Niboro said the directive came after Jonathan reviewed a report from the presidential soccer task force.
The suspension will see Nigeria withdraw from all FIFA and CAF competitions to “enable Nigeria to reorganise its football”.
Niboro said all funds directed toward the Nigeria Football Federation would be examined and “all those found wanting will be sanctioned” amid corruption allegations that surrounded the team before the tournament.
Lars Lagerback’s side finished bottom of World Cup Group B with just one point – a 2-2 draw with South Korea, and defeats to Argentina 1-0 and Greece 2-1.
The Nigeria Football Federation’s executive committee had earlier apologised to the government and “all football loving Nigerians” for the early exit.
NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire told the Associated Press Wednesday that the federation “had no information about the suspension” and had “not been directed…’no letter” from the president.
