Tunisia could be excluded from next month\u2019s World Cup in Qatar if the country\u2019s government interferes in footballing matters, world governing body Fifa has warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fifa\u2019s member federations must be free from legal and political interference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The warning comes after repeated comments from Tunisia\u2019s Youth and Sports Minister, Kamel Deguiche, about the possibility of \u201cdissolving federal bureaux\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fifa considers his statement an attempt to meddle in the running of the country\u2019s football federation (FTF), and has asked the latter for clarification about attempts to interfere in its internal affairs and threats to dissolve its office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Zurich-based organisation has also reminded the FTF that member associations are \u201clegally obligated to conduct their affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAny failure to comply with these obligations may result in the imposition of penalties under the Fifa laws, including suspension of the relevant association,\u201d said a letter from Kenny Jean-Marie, Fifa\u2019s director of member associations, to FTF general secretary Wajdi Aouadi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A possible Fifa ban would mean no Tunisian club or national sides can play in either continental or international competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next month, the 2004 African champions are set to face World Cup holders France, Denmark and Australia in Group D in Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Carthage Eagles have never gone past the group stage in five previous World Cup finals appearances, and will open their campaign against the Danes on 22 November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fifa has given the FTF no later than Friday to reply regarding its position following the minister\u2019s comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serious accusations have been levelled at the FTF in recent times, with one club side, Chebba, accusing the body and its president, Wadie Jary, of knowingly misleading the Court of Arbitration for Sport in April 2021 \u2013 prior to sport\u2019s highest legal body ruling in the club\u2019s favour later that year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fifa has already acted this year over other instances of governmental interference in football, with African pair Kenya and Zimbabwe currently serving suspensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India were also banned in August because of \u201cundue influence from third parties\u201d, throwing the country\u2019s hosting of this month\u2019s Under-17 Women\u2019s World Cup into doubt, but Fifa lifted its suspension of India later the same month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n