Nigeria faces FIFA ban after arrest

National football federation’s leaders were removed from office and president arrested on return from Brazil.

Nigeria's World Cup came to an end after a 2-0 loss to France in the last-16 [EPA]

Nigeria could be suspended by FIFA after the country’s football federation leaders were removed from office and its president was arrested on returning from the World Cup.

FIFA says Nigeria’s government must reinstate the federation’s executive committee by Tuesday or risk a ban.

FIFA says it has “taken note of the detention of NFF President Aminu Maigari carried out by representatives of the Department of the State Security Service”.

The turmoil follows Nigeria’s World Cup exit Monday when it lost 2-0 to France in the second round. After Nigeria’s 2010 World Cup exit, state President Goodluck Jonathan threatened to shut down the national team for two years before FIFA intervened.

FIFA rules protect member federations from government interference.

A FIFA suspension bar teams and officials from international matches and meetings.

Source: AP