FIFA, the international body governing football, also disagreed with the suspension, and gave the President a week to reverse it. Jonathan's decision to reinstate the team fell exactly on the deadline set by FIFA, leading many to wonder if it was the powerful football organization – rather than the Nigerian people – that made him change his mind. 
FIFA, ambayo ndiyo Shirikisho linaloongoza masuala ya soka ulimwenguni, nalo halikuwa limekubaliana na uamuzi wa kufungiwa timu hiyo, na ilitoa muda wa wiki moja kwa Raiskuubadili.Uamuzi wa Jonathan wa kufuta uamuzi wake wa awali uliangukia katika siku ile iliyokuwa kikomo cha muda aliopewa na FIFA, na jambo hili limewaacha wengi wakijiuliza endapo ilikuwa ni kwa msukumo wa wa shirikisho hilo lenye nguvu - wala si msukumo wa maoni ya watu - uliomfanya abadili uaumuzi wake.