By Victor Kanayo
Tunisia may face sudden ouster from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar over supposed government interference in the running of the game.
World football governing body, Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) takes exception to governments unnecessarily meddling into the affairs of the running of football associations.
Tunisia were given an ultimatum to clarify statements made by Tunisia’s Youth and Sports Minister, Kamel Deguiche, about the possibility of “dissolving federal bureaux.”
FIFA considers his statement an attempt to meddle in the running of the country’s football federation (FTF), and has asked for clarification about attempts to interfere in its internal affairs and threats to dissolve its office.
The Zurich-based organisation reminded the FTF that member associations are “legally obligated to conduct their affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties”.
“Any failure to comply with these obligations may result in the imposition of penalties under the Fifa laws, including suspension of the relevant association,” said a letter from Kenny Jean-Marie, Fifa’s director of member associations, to FTF general secretary Wajdi Aouadi.
The African side are due to kick off their World Cup campaign against Denmark on November 22.
They have also been drawn alongside Australia and reigning world champions France in Group D.
The Carthage Eagles as the Tunisian team are fondly called, have never gone past the group stage in five previous World Cup finals appearances, and will open their campaign against the Danes on November 22.
India were also banned in August due to “undue influence from third parties”, although their suspension was lifted just weeks later.
The World Cup gets underway on November 20 when Qatar take on Ecuador.
