WORLD CUP ’94 / DAILY REPORT

The United States will relax its ban on Nigerian flights to allow soccer players and their fans to attend the World Cup, the official news agency said Thursday.

The U.S. Embassy in Lagos, which announced Wednesday that Nigeria Airways could not fly to the United States, said it was unable to confirm the Nigerian report.

“It’s more complicated than that,” embassy spokeswoman Arlene Jacquette said. She said she could say no more about the matter until today.

News Agency of Nigeria said the United States was permitting six Nigeria Airways flights to carry the Super Eagles and their supporters to soccer’s premier competition.

Last year, the United States banned the airline from flying to New York and U.S. airlines from flying to Nigeria. Lagos’ international airport is notorious for its crime and corruption.