The world soccer governing body FIFA has suspended the Nigeria from participating in all international football event after the west African country’s government interfered with the running of the local football federation. The FIFA ban means no Nigerian team – including club sides – can play internationally.

FIFA was responding to a court order which 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.

A statement from FIFA’s emergency committee said: ‘The FIFA Emergency Committee has decided today, 9 July 2014, to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with immediate effect, on account of government interference.’