Congress Puts U.S. Soccer Team in Jail???

It goes without saying that the article to this blog is simply an attention getter and let me also state that I do not understand all the in's and out's of African politics and culture but stories like this are why the world will never be able to take any African country serious. The Nigerian president has stated that the Nigeria national soccer team will not be allowed to play international matches for two years because of their recent play in the World Cup [url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5342521/ce/us/nigeria-president-suspends-team-two-years-poor-showing-world-cup&cc=5901?ver=us](Link to ESPN Article)[/url]. I should note that decisions by one country should not be generalized on all other countries within the area or continent but these countries seem to have a knack for stupid decisions (understandibly so and the USA, despite my love for it, enjoys a bad decision from time to time to time [url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/06/29/mass-flag-pledge-resolution/](Need proof-check out this link)[/url])

I have no problem with countries taking soccer seriously but can you imagine if Barack Obama came out and said something like this. I will admit that soccer is probably more popular in Nigeria than America but if Obama said something like this he would be forced to resign tomorrow. Obviously, he is to smart to do something so stupid and our culture is definitely different from Nigeria's and that is to be appreciated on both ends. Nigeria has come a long way from its violent past but they still have major problems just like we do here in the goold ole USA. The president of Nigeria should be focusing on the important issues and not taking away something that many Nigerian citizens undoubtedly love. In America sports are an outlet for so many of us. Sports are something to be enjoyed with family, friends, and people we don't even know. I have no doubt that Nigerian citizens probably see this the same way and to take away something that many of them love (Nigerian soccer for two years) would probably have devastating effects. At least in America was have 250 more sports we can watch and follow.

What is even sadder is that France's government is getting involved with their national soccer team because of their early exit (see link above). Yes, I thought they had entered the 21st century too. Guess not! Right now is not the time for governments to have any involvement in soccer or sports when our world is faced with much greater and daunting challenges. Thankfully FIFA sees this the same way that I do.