Fifa stern over government interference

by setanta.com staff , 01 July 2010

Fifa have warned nations whose governments interfere with footballing matters that they risk losing their place within the organisation.


The news comes after the big news on Wednesday that Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan suspended his country’s national team for two years, after they finished bottom of their group at the finals.

With French president Nicolas Sarkozy also pledging to personally lead an investigation into the appalling campaign the France team went through, Fifa has moved to advise all nations against such actions.

Fifa communications director Nicolas Maingot has said: "Fifa has a very clear position on political interference but it is premature to speak further.

"The worst sanction available is that a national association can be expelled but this is not related to either of the two cases (Nigerian and France).

"In terms of Nigeria we have received official information from their government. We are looking at both cases. Fifa has a very clear position on political interference but it is premature to speak further about either case.''

The situations are likely to be reviewd further before Fifa take any action against the countries involved.

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