FIFA says Nigeria not backing down on national team ban as deadline looms to withdraw threat

FIFA says Nigeria not backing down from team ban

JOHANNESBURG — FIFA says the Nigerian government still seems determined to ban its national team from playing, just hours before a deadline to withdraw the penalty or face stronger sanctions from soccer’s governing body.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke says he has no information from Nigeria that President Goodluck Jonathan is changing his mind.

FIFA plans to suspend Nigeria from world soccer later Monday if the government does not withdraw its own ban. The reason is FIFA rules forbid governments from interfering in national soccer programs.

President Jonathan said last Wednesday the Super Eagles team should not play for two years in order to restructure Nigerian soccer after its World Cup first-round exit.

A FIFA suspension would go further — banning Nigerian club teams, referees and officials from taking part in international soccer.