Nigeria Avoids FIFA Suspension For Second Time In Two Months

African Nations Cup champions Nigeria have "escaped suspension" from int'l football for the second time in two months, according to Brian Homewood of REUTERS. FIFA said on Monday the threat was lifted after a "court case against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) elections held on Sept. 30 was withdrawn." The dropping of the case "paved the way" for FIFA-backed NFF President Amaju Pinnick "and his executive to resume their duties after they were ousted by an interim ruling" on Thursday by Justice Ambrose Allagoa, who placed Chris Giwa in charge. FIFA said in a statement, "FIFA has today sent a letter to the NFF in which it takes note the order granted by the Federal High Court, nullifying the NFF elections of Sept. 30, was definitely withdrawn ... However, FIFA will continue to closely monitor the situation in Nigeria." FIFA had threatened Nigeria with a ban of "at least seven months if the case was not dropped" (REUTERS, 11/4).