ZURICH (AP):

FIFA has lifted Nigeria's suspension from international competition after the country's football leaders were reinstated.

After Nigeria's second-round elimination at the World Cup, the country's government issued a legal order for the sports ministry to appoint new federation leaders. FIFA rules protect its 209 member federations from influence by third parties, including politicians.

But FIFA said yesterday that court proceedings and an order preventing the Nigeria Football Federation from operating had been withdrawn.

FIFA said in a statement that as the "legitimate bodies (have been) reinstalled, FIFA has decided to lift the suspension."