October 28, (THEWILL) – FIFA has threatened to remove Tunisia from next month’s World Cup in Qatar unless the nation’s government, stops meddling in football-related activities.
This is in tandem with FIFA’s avowed policy, that the federations that make up the world football governing body must be free from governmental and political intervention. The recent warning follows frequent statements by Kamel Deguiche, the Minister Of Youth And Sports for Tunisia, concerning the potential dissolving of the federal bureaux.
The country’s football federation, FTF, has been asked for clarification about attempts to influence its internal affairs and threats to disband its office after FIFA deemed the Minister’s statement to be an attempt to tamper with the FTF’s management.
Additionally, FIFA reaffirmed to the FTF, that member associations are “legally obligated to conduct their affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties” as contained in a letter from Kenny Jean-Marie, FIFA’s Director of Member Associations, to FTF’s General Secretary, Wajdi Aouadi.
Part of the letter read: “Any failure to comply with these obligations may result in the imposition of penalties under the Fifa laws, including suspension of the relevant association.”
If FIFA were to impose a ban, neither Tunisian clubs nor the national team will be allowed to participate in either continental or international tournaments. The 2004 African champions are scheduled to compete in Group D in Qatar with France, Denmark, and Australia next month.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
