FIFA lifts suspension of Nigeria FA

Lagos, July 19 (IANS) World football governing body, FIFA has lifted the suspension imposed on Nigeria Football Association (NFA) July 9.

The ban was lifted in a letter sent to the NFA Friday, a statement issued by Ademola Olajire, spokesperson for the Nigerian FA read, saying FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke signed the letter addressed to NFA Chairman Aminu Maigari, reports Xinhua.

According to him, since the conditions set by the FIFA Emergency Committee July 9 have been met the suspension of the Nigeria Football Federation is lifted with immediate effect.

The lifting of the suspension means that all of NFA's membership rights have been reinstated, as defined in article 12 of FIFA Statutes, he added.

The NFA is entitled to take part in international competitions again and to benefit from all programmes which were suspended.

The spokesperson added that FIFA received the correspondence on Thursday, July 17 from the NFA about the withdrawal of the court case.

He added that FIFA was satisfied that Nigeria had complied with the demand.

A Nigerian High Court in central north city of Jos, through an order obtained by Ibiakpo Baribote, restrained the board from using the name NFA.

The Nigerian government, however, prevailed on her to withdraw the suit giving room for the board to return to its duties Friday.

With this decision, the NFA has stepped up arrangements to ensure that the U-20 Women National Team, the Falconets, travel to Moncton, Canada, next week for a final training camp.

The training camp is preparatory to the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup scheduled to take place in Canada in August.

The lifting of the suspension will also pave the way for the U-17 boys to fly to Democratic Republic of Congo for a 2015 African U-17 Championship qualifier July 27.