Football governing body FIFA lifts suspension of Nigeria from international competition over government interference

Football governing body FIFA on Friday lifted the suspension of Nigeria from international competition over "government interference" in the game. The suspension of the Nigerian Football Federation was imposed on July 9 just after the national team were beaten in the last 16 at the World Cup.

"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members and the NFF Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football that prompted the suspension have been withdrawn," said a statement by the world body.

"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 new order means that Nigeria can again take part in international competitions.

FIFA's suspension came after a Nigerian court sacked the NFF leadership and appointed a sole administrator for the federation.