FIFA Ban: The day Nigeria was suspended from international football

Nigeria's football community was left reeling on July 9, 2014, when FIFA announced a suspension from international competition.

The ban came after the government fired football leaders following the team's World Cup exit.

FIFA's emergency committee cited government interference as the reason for the suspension, which meant no Nigerian team, including club sides, could participate in international competitions.

The decision was made in response to a court order that compelled the Nigerian Minister of Sports to appoint a senior member of the civil service to take over the running of the Nigeria Football Federation.

The suspension had immediate consequences, with Nigeria's women's team facing exclusion from the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Canada.

The team's participation hinged on the suspension being lifted by July 15.

FIFA emphasised that the suspension would remain in place until the court actions were withdrawn and the properly elected NFF Executive Committee, general assembly, and administration could work without interference.

This incident marked one of several instances where FIFA has taken action against countries due to government interference or other issues.

Nigeria's suspension lasted only nine days before being lifted by a court order.