The world football governing body, FIFA has suspended Kenya and Zimbabwe from international football due to government interference.
According to a Statement on its official website, the decision, which was confirmed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino in a virtual Council meeting on Thursday was done in line with the fundamental principles of the world governing body.
“Without prejudice to any investigations by national authorities or other judicial bodies, the FIFA Council also decided to suspend the Football Kenya Federation and the Zimbabwe Football Association with immediate effect due to undue interference by a third party. A statement on FIFA.com said.
While Kenya’s suspension came just months after the Nick Mwendwa-led Federation of Kenya Football (FKF) was thown out of office,Zimbabwe football federation was also suspended by the country Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) in November 2021.
The developments run contrary to FIFA’s ideal of non- government interference in the administration of football- having reserved the prerogatives of handling and settling of any dispute regarding football.
“We had to suspend two of our member associations — Kenya and Zimbabwe. Both for government interference in the activities of the football associations of these associations. These associations are suspended from footballing activities with immediate effect and they know what needs to be done for them to be re-admitted or for the suspension to be lifted,” said Infantino.
The suspension means that the football federations would no longer participate in any FIFA sanctioned event until they harmonize with the body all the prerequisites of becoming a member of the world body.
During the FIFA Council meeting which held by video conference on Thursday , the Council also approved the agenda for the 72nd FIFA Congress, which will be staged in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday, 31 March 2022 and the FIFA Annual Report 2021, which includes the financial statements for 2021 and the planned budget for 2023.