FIFA frowns on government's interference

Accra, Oct. 26, GNA - The Federation of International Football Federation (FIFA) has raised concern at the considerable increase of government interference in the affairs of some football associations. The association has therefore threatened to impose sanctions on some countries such as Greece, Niger and Ethiopia if a normalisation committee is not installed to rectify the situation.

The concerns were raised at the last meeting of FIFA Associations Committee under the chairmanship of Viacheslav Koloskov, meant to reaffirms FIFA's principles on the autonomy of its member association. In a statement from the Media Department FIFA, copied to the GNA Sports it said, the move is to ensure that football enjoys sustainable enduring growth and plays part in promoting social progress and transcending all differences.

The President of FIFA, Sepp Blatter, said that, "FIFA respects the sovereignty of the countries concerned and their local laws, but that does not mean that our principles should be violated either inside or outside the football family."

Mr Blatter added that, "These principles have proven their worth and common sense throughout FIFA's 100-years history and are essential to the development of football in an environment of dialogue and cooperation among all the parties concerned."

The committee according to the statement praised the efforts and progress made in countries like Antigua and Barbuda, Burundi, Guatemala, Iraq, Kenya and Pueto Rico and has pledged to keep a watchful eye on the situation in those countries.

It said the committee would also support plan of action drawn by FIFA administration for several member countries such as Gabon, Guatemala, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe designed to improve operations, update statutes and if necessary, organise new elections under the supervision of FIFA and the confederation concerned.