FIFA mulls ban for Niger, Ethiopia federations

ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) -- FIFA confirmed Tuesday it may suspend the soccer federations of Niger and Ethiopia over government interference.

A key FIFA committee, responsible for relations with the world soccer body's 205 member associations, said it would recommend FIFA's Executive Committee on Oct. 6 that the Niger football association be suspended. It suggested that similar action be taken against the Ethiopian association if a caretaker committee is not installed by Oct. 4.

The FIFA associations committee, which met last week, reviewed the cases of some 20 associations spread over five of the six confederations. The committee said it was worried about a considerable increase of government interference in the affairs of football associations in a handful of countries.

FIFA's rules say that national soccer federations should be independent from governments.

In 2003, FIFA suspended Azerbaijan from international games for one month, citing political interference in the national federation. Two years earlier, Greece narrowly escaped suspension on similar grounds.

"FIFA always 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," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said. "These principles have proved their worth and common sense throughout FIFA's 100-year history. They are essential to the development of football in an environment of dialogue and cooperation among all the parties concerned."

The Ethiopian soccer federation refused to comment on FIFA's warning. But Zemedkun Teckle, the Ethiopian government spokesman, said FIFA was mistaken.

"We don't know why they (FIFA) are saying this. We are not interfering with the football federation," Teckle said. "They (the Ethiopian soccer federation) have their own internal problem which, as far as we are concerned, they are trying to address."

The committee praised efforts made in Antigua and Barbuda, Burundi, Guatemala, Iraq, Kenya and Puerto Rico -- where meddling by authorities has been a problem in the past. But it warned it would keep a watchful eye on those countries.

It also backed a plan of action drawn up by FIFA's administration for several member associations, including Gabon, Guatemala, Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, designed to improve operations, update statutes and, if necessary, organize new elections under the supervision of FIFA and the continental confederation concerned.

On June 2, FIFA banned Kenya from international competition because the government had taken over the country's federation citing alleged corruption. FIFA, which gives financial help to soccer federations in developing countries, also froze payments to Kenya.

After the takeover, the government set up a special committee to run the Kenyan federation.

The committee agreed to draw up new statutes for the federation by the end of the year that meet FIFA regulations and Kenyan law, and FIFA's Emergency Committee lifted the suspension on Aug 6, allowing Kenya's side to resume World Cup qualification.