FIFA will monitor reports emanating out of Nigeria that the country's president has banned the national squad from international competition for two years after their disappointing World Cup.
A presidential spokesman made the announcement in Lagos on Wednesday after the Super Eagles bowed out of the tournament with just one point. In previous cases, FIFA have suspended a national association where governments have intervened in the running of the game.
FIFA said in a statement: "We have no official information on this matter. However, in general, FIFA's position regarding political interference in football is well known."
Years | Winners | Runner-up | Third place |
2006 | Italy | France | Germany |
2002 | Brazil | Germany | Turkey |
1998 | France | Brazil | Croatia |
1994 | Brazil | Italy | Sweden |
1990 | Germany | Argentina | Italy |
1986 | Argentina | Germany | France |
1982 | Italy | Germany | Poland |
1978 | Argentina | Holland | Brazil |
1974 | Germany | Holland | Poland |
1970 | Brazil | Italy | Germany |
1966 | England | Germany | Portugal |
1962 | Brazil | Czech | Chile |
1958 | Brazil | Sweden | France |
1954 | Germany | Hungary | Austria |
1950 | Uruguay | Brazil | Sweden |
1938 | Italy | Hungary | Brazil |
1934 | Italy | Czech | Germany |
1930 | Uruguay | Argentina | America |