Anger grows over Nigeria’s inclusion in World Cup

Date: 20/11/1997

By Mark Turner

EU GOVERNMENTS under increasing attack for their decision to allow Nigeria to play in next year's FIFA World Cup in France will try to explain their reasoning when foreign ministers meet next week.

Although the Union banned all Nigerian sportsmen and women from playing on European soil following the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa two years ago, foreign ministers decided earlier this year that the ban should not apply to sporting events which had been arranged before November 1995.

But human rights activists have criticised the decision as legal opportunism and are increasingly concerned that many European countries are softening their stance on Nigeria in general.

They claim a group of countries led by France and including Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece are increasing pressure on Germany, the Netherlands and the UK to soften their travel embargoes, and are proving increasingly willing to flout existing rules.

Paris, for example, recently allowed Nigerian Oil Minister Dan Etete into the country for talks with petrochemicals giants Elf and Total, claiming the visit was acceptable because he was attending a United Nations science and education conference.

France defends its decision to let Nigeria play in next year's World Cup by citing the EU-agreed exception and FIFA's continued support for the country's participation.

A FIFA spokesman explained that the organisation followed the United Nations when considering sporting bans, and it had so far not imposed an embargo on Nigeria. "It is quite simple: Nigeria has qualified on the pitch," he added.

But critics say the World Cup decision is dictated by television viewing figures and advertising rights, given Nigeria's sporting prowess and attractive playing style, and totally ignores Abuja's military dictatorship.

"The Nigerian team should not be allowed to play," said a spokesman for US-based Human Rights Watch.

"Sports embargoes are the ideal instrument to encourage change. They are extremely psychological with almost no economic impact on people's everyday lives. Given the huge importance of football in Nigeria, this would be a very good way of exerting influence on its regime."

The UK, which recently hosted a Commonwealth meeting at which strong criticism of Nigeria's government was voiced, has also criticised France's position and may well push for stronger action when it takes over the EU presidency in January next year.