SPAIN COULD BE KICKED OUT OF THE 2018 WORLD CUP AS FIFA WARN THEM OVER GOVERNMENT'S POLITICAL INTERFERENCE
Fifa has warned the Spanish football federation that involvement from the
government in their election for a new president could lose the national side
their place at Russia 2018
Spain’s involvement at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia could be under
threat after Fifa warned the Spanish football federation (RFEF) against
political interference.
Fifa has warned the RFEF that continued involvement from the centre-right
Spanish government in the upcoming election for the football federation’s new
president could result in them losing their place at next summer’s World Cup.
The RFEF is currently led by Juan Luis Larrea on an interim basis, after
former president Angel Maria Villar was made to step down on corruption
charges.
Preparations for a new election are already well underway, and according
to the Spanish newspaper El Pais the government’s National Sports Council have
made contact with the RFEF over Villar’s eventual successor.
That would be in direct contradiction of Fifa’s strict rules – which
would rule any involvement from the Spanish government as political
interference in the football federation.
Fifa can suspend the membership of any national football team if they
judge the association has been influenced by external political pressure.
Rules state that: “Each member must manage their affairs independently
and ensure that there is no interference by third parties in their affairs.”
Earlier this year, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) was banned by
Fifa due to “undue third-party interference”.
Under the ruling, the PFF's national and club teams were forbidden from
taking part in international competitions until the suspension is lifted.
The Kuwait Football Association was meanwhile suspended between 2015-2017
for similar levels of interference.
Spain defender Sergio Ramos is adamant his country will compete at the World Cup after suggestions they might be excluded following a warning from Fifa .
"I'm absolutely convinced Spain will go to the World Cup and that we are going to win it."
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