[size=6]Fifa issues ban deadline to Nigeria[/size]

Fifa will expel Nigeria from world football unless the country's government overturns a two-year ban of the national team by Monday 1700 BST.

Fifa has written to Nigeria president Goodluck Jonathan asking him to reverse his decision to suspend the team after a poor performance at the World Cup.

Nigeria's House of Representatives has passed a resolution asking Jonathan to reverse his order in fear of sanctions.

Fifa rules prohibit any government intervention with its members.
Jonathan's government announced on Wednesday that the Nigeria Football Federation will be dissolved and an interim board put in place.

"President Goodluck Jonathan has directed that Nigeria withdraws from international competition for two years to enable the country to put its house in order," said special presidential adviser Ima Niboro.

However, Fifa rules clearly state that national associations can be expelled if governments are seen to be interfering with the way they operate.

"Fifa has sent a letter to the Nigeria Football Federation indicating that the government of Nigeria has until Monday at 6pm to cancel its direction to withdraw Nigeria's participation from all Fifa and Caf competitions for the next two years," said Fifa's communications director Nicolas Maingot on Friday.

"Also the management committee set up by the Nigeria government will not be recognised by Fifa.

If Nigeria are suspended, the country cannot participate in competitive matches or club games in African competitions, as well as a host of financial ramifications.

"A suspension goes beyond the suspension of the national teams," added Maingot. "It also freezes financial help and no referees can participate in international competition."

Fifa executive committee member and former Nigeria government minister Dr Amos Adamu will be in the country on Monday "for last mediation attempt".

The governing body's president Sepp Blatter had already warned French president Nicolas Sarkozy of possible sanctions after Sarkozy pledged to personally lead an investigation into France's acrimonious World Cup campaign.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8780028.stm

[size=6]Nigerian Government Ready To Work With FIFA[/size]

Nigerian sports minister Isa Bio has made it clear that the nation's government are ready to work with FIFA in order to make sure that no regulations are violated as they look to resurrect the country's football.
Nigeria president Goodluck Jonathan withdrew the Super Eagles from international competition until 2012 following their disappointing performance at World Cup 2010, much to the dismay of FIFA. The world's football governing body threatened to expel the Africans as a result.

"Nigeria will do everything possible to take the interest and sovereignty of Nigeria first and foremost and if that is in conformity with FIFA rules, so be it. But if it is not in conformity with FIFA rules I think the sovereignty of Nigeria and interests of the people is most paramount," said Bio in an official statement.

"What we want to do is get people who with their experience will restructure and reorganise our football and start right from the grassroots, invigorate the clubs and encourage more football academies where we can get young men to replace the present ones.

"Government is trying to liaise with FIFA in order to get these things done without necessarily violating FIFA rules.

"We are trying to have a deliberate policy whereby we can encourage our local league to be very attractive so that we do not have to rely on foreign-based players all the time and when they are not available we continue to wait until their football seasons are over."
http://www.goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2010/07/02/2006298/nigerian-government-ready-to-work-with-fifa