Government interference: FIFA may ban Egypt from Nations Cup, World Cup qualifiers

World football governing body, FIFA, has threatened to ban Egypt from all international football, including the Gabon 2017 African Nations Cup and the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers if the country’s government did not stop further interference in the administration of the game.

Egypt defeated Nigeria 1-0 in Alexandria last month to virtually confirm their ticket for the Gabon 2017 African Nations Cup. The Pharaohs are also in the final round of the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

However, if FIFA banned the Egyptians from all international competitions, the Group G ticket in the African Nations Cup qualifiers would now be a straight contest between Nigeria and Tanzania. The fourth team in the group, Chad, withdrew after the second round of matches.

According to kingfut.com, FIFA’s official warning to the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) comes in the light of Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court ruling to dissolve the EFA board over election irregularities.

FIFA rules prohibit any government intervention as articles 13 and 17 of the FIFA statutes oblige member associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties.

According to the letter, the EFA may face suspension in case the court decision was implemented. The EFA had already challenged the ruling and the court has set May 7 as a date for ruling in the case.

“The court decision, if implemented, would most likely be considered as an interference in the internal affairs of the EFA and the case would be brought to the highest authorities of FIFA for consideration of sanctions, including the suspension of the EFA,” the letter read.

Candidates for the EFA 2012 elections Magda El Helbawi and Hermas Radwan had dragged the EFA board to court over allegations of vote rigging during the elections. The court accepted the lawsuit in March and the verdict obligated Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Khaled Abdel-Aziz, to dissolve the EFA board headed by Gamal Allam.