FIFA is studying a report from Nigeria before possibly taking action against the country for government interference following the team's first-round exit at the World Cup. Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan ordered the team Wednesday to sit out international competition for two years as punishment for its poor showing. FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said Thursday that Nigeria's government has told FIFA about the ban. “We have been now officially informed of that and we are looking at this case,” Maingot said at a daily World Cup briefing. “We need a little bit of time.” FIFA rules demand that national federations manage their affairs independently or face suspension from world football. National and club teams then cannot play in international competitions, and football officials are barred from attending meetings. “This is clearly outlined in the FIFA statutes,” said Maingot, but adding that “we are not at the step of taking sanctions.” Earlier this week, FIFA president Sepp Blatter restated his disapproval of politicians meddling in football's affairs when asked about a French government inquiry into the team's shambolic display at the World Cup. Blatter said football officials “can really rely on FIFA in case of political interference – even if it is at the presidential level.” Nigerian lawmakers intervened Thursday to try to stave off possible exile from world football. The House of Representatives passed a resolution calling on the president to rescind the ban, while also asking a legislative committee to follow the French example and open an investigation into the World Cup performance.
