Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan rescinds two-year Super Eagles withdrawal from international football

A spokesman for president Goodluck Jonathan announced the shock departure on Friday after Nigeria's poor performance at World Cup 2010 when they finished bottom of Group B with just one point. The absence would have seen the nation miss qualifying for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

The comment provoked a strong reaction from FIFA as they threatened to withdraw financial help, stop Nigerian referees from officiating in international matches and its clubs from partaking in African club competitions.

A letter had been sent to the Super Eagles' hierarchy with a deadline of 6pm today (Monday) which had laid out the consequences. FIFA strongly resists any political interference in the running of national sides and uses a host of sanctions to forbid the action.

A statement on the Nigeria Football Federation read: "The President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) on Monday graciously rescinded last Wednesday’s decision to withdraw Nigerian national football teams from FIFA/CAF football competitions.

"The decision was made known at the Presidential Villa on Monday evening as President Jonathan hearkened to the passionate appeals of top officials of the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation, other concerned organs of government and well –meaning Nigerians on the matter.

"This means that the nation has beaten the ultimatum of 18:00 hours of Monday, 5th July handed down by world football –governing body FIFA for the country to have a re –think on withdrawal of her teams from international football.

"The Honourable Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Hon. Ibrahim Isa Bio, Nigeria’s FIFA Member, Dr. Amos Adamu and NFF Acting President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari played great roles in getting President Goodluck Jonathan to change his mind on the matter, for the sake of millions of Nigerian youth involved in the game and tens of millions of Nigerians who work in football."

The move follows a hectic weekend for the Nigerian authorities after three members of the NFF - FA president Sani Lulu, first vice-president Amanze Uchegbulam and Taiwo Ogunjobi, Technical Committee chairman of the NFF - were impeached after financial improprieties.

Through a statement, FIFA later commented on the news.

"The Nigerian Government has today confirmed in a letter to FIFA that it revokes its decision to withdraw Nigeria’s participation in all FIFA and CAF organised competitions of the next two years. In addition, the Nigerian Government also recognises the currently elected executive of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF)," read the official release.

"The letter was received by FIFA before the deadline set last Friday 2 July, and follows mediation talks between FIFA Executive Committee member Dr Amos Adamu and the Nigerian Government. Therefore, the NFF remains vested with all its statutory rights."

Source: goal.com