Mali Football Association Has Being Suspended by FIFA

The Malian Football Association (Femafoot) has been handed a suspension from international football by Fifa “with immediate effect”.

Fifa explained that the suspension of the West African nation’s FA is due to “government interference”.

The World football governing body declared that the suspension is to run until further notice.

“The Bureau of the Fifa Council decided to suspend the Malian Football Association (FEMAFOOT) with immediate effect as of Friday, 17 March 2017, and until further notice as a result of government interference,” Fifa stated on their website on Friday.

Fifa’s bureau council slapped the indefinite suspension on the Malian FA following “the actions of Sports Minister of Mali Mr Housseini Amion Guindo, who decided to dissolve the executive committee of Femafoot and appointment of a provisional committee.”

Guindo gave the provisional committee which he appointed the directive to take charge of football administration in Mali before “the election of a new executive committee with twelve months”.

Fifa stated that the suspension on the Mali FA “will be lifted once ministerial decisions are nullified and the executive committee of Femafoot and its president, Boubacar Baba Diarra, is reinstated”.

The development means that the Malian FA “may not benefit from any development programme, course or training from Fifa or Caf” as well as miss out on club or international competitions as of 17 March 2017 until the suspension is lifted.”