FIFA warns Guatemala over match-fixing ruling

ZURICH (AP) -FIFA has threatened the Guatemala Football Association with suspension after a sports court there ordered lifetime bans overturned for three players caught fixing national team matches.

FIFA says the Guatemala FA must show by Monday that the court won't interfere in a football decision.

Missing the deadline will lead FIFA "to take the appropriate measures, which could include a suspension.''

FIFA statutes require its 209 members to protect their independence from third parties, including courts and governments.

The Guatemala FA banned Guillermo Ramirez, Gustavo Cabrera and Yoni Flores for life last September. FIFA then applied the expulsions worldwide.

Ramirez and Cabrera both played 100 times for the national team.

Guatemala's top football official, Rafael Salguero who represents CONCACAF on FIFA's executive board, is unlikely to be affected by possible sanctions.