World football governing body, FIFA has suspended the Football Associations of Kenya and Zimbabwe from international football citing government interference from the victim countries.
“Without prejudice to investigations by national authorities or other judiciary bodies, the FIFA Council has decided to suspend the Kenya Football Federation and the Zimbabwe Football Federation with immediate effect for undue influence by a third party”, explains the instance in a press release.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the two countries’ indefinite suspension from all football activities during the Fifa Council Press Conference on Thursday.
“We had to suspend two of our member associations Kenya and Zimbabwe both for government interference in the activities of the football. These associations are suspended from all football activities with immediate effect and they know what need to be done for them to be re-admitted or the suspension to be lifted,” Infantino said.
“They know what needs to be done for the suspension to be lifted,” he added.
The FIFA Council met briefly by videoconference on Thursday, without taking any major action on the project to reform the international calendars, culminating in the World Cup every two years, an idea promoted by FIFA but criticized by a front of European and South American federations.
The suspension means both countries are barred from fielding any team in any competitive event outside the country like the Caf Champions League, Caf Confederations Cup as well. These include the men’s and women’s national football teams and clubs.
Referees from both countries are also barred from international assignments during duration of the suspension.
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