FIFA can now stand down over its threats to ban Nigeria — the current African champion — following months of turmoil and alleged government interference to influence the leadership of the Nigerian federation. The elections for a new NFF executive were still rocky, with one of the seven initial candidates for the presidency declared ineligible after he failed to turn up amid reports that some officials were detained by state security forces. The NFF said Pinnick had received a congratulatory message from FIFA President Sepp Blatter, but Nigerian authorities were also warned not to interfere again in football by FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke.