World soccer’s governing body Fifa has warned Tunisia that participation in the World Cup in Qatar next month might be at risk if the nation’s government interferes in footballing matters.
Fifa sought information from the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) concerning “state authorities’ efforts to intervene in the Tunisian Federation’s internal affairs and threats to dissolve FTF’s office” in a leaked letter.
Fifa’s warning follows a recent comment by Tunisian Youth and Sports Minister Kamel Deguiche. They mentioned the prospect of “dissolving federal offices of different disciplines,” which Fifa saw as a possible effort to interfere with the FTF.
If the FTF is suspended, Tunisia’s national team and football clubs may be barred from competing in regional or international tournaments, including the next World Cup in Qatar.