GettySpain could be kicked out of next summer’s World Cup as FIFA has written to the Spanish football federation with a stark warning.
FIFA has warned the federation (RFEF) that involvement from the government in their election for a new president could lose the side their place at Russia 2018.
The RFEF is currently led by Juan Luis Larrea on an interim basis after their former president Angel Maria Villar was forced to step down because of corruption charges.
Wow. Fifa have written to Spanish football federation warning them Spain could be kicked out of World Cup if Spanish government doesn't stop meddling with the federation. Federation confirms existence of the letter…
— Richard Martin (@Rich9908) December 15, 2017
FIFA have ‘written to Spanish football federation’ to warn them they could face being kicked out if the ‘Spanish government doesn’t stop meddling with the federation’, Richard Martin, a Spanish football Reuters journalist reports.
He also said the federation has confirmed the existence of the letter.
According to the Spanish newspaper El Pais, preparations for a new election are already well under way and the government’s National Sports Council has’ made contact with the RFEF over a successor’.
So… FIFA threatened to leave Spain out of the 2018 Russia WC because of corruption. If Spain leaves, Italy gets through. I won't like this world cup
— rocío (@vazroe) December 15, 2017
This would be in ‘direct contradiction’ of FIFA’s rules, which would rule ‘any involvement from the Spanish government as political interference in the football federation’, writes the Independent.
FIFA are able to suspend the membership of any national football team if they ‘judge the association has been influenced by external political pressure’.
Rules state:
Each member must manage their affairs independently and ensure that there is no interference by third parties in their affairs.
Spain were drawn in Group B alongside Portugal, Morocco and Iran, during a presentation at the start of the month.
Here they are! The groups for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia! ???
Which game are you most looking forward to?! ?#WorldCupDraw pic.twitter.com/CYBTaqkgpF
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) December 1, 2017
The first stage of the competition kicks off on Thursday, June 14, and Spain’s games are scheduled for the Friday night (15th) against Portugal, Iran (20th) and Morocco (25th).
According to El Bocon, Peru found themselves at risk of being kicked out of the World Cup too.
A new bid was launched in Peruvian parliament, titled ‘Law of Strengthening of the Peruvian National Football Federation’ and aims to ‘force the Peru Football Federation (FPF) to fall under the jurisdiction of the Peruvian Sports Institute’, according to the article.
An earlier bill by Congresswoman Paloma Noceda was withdrawn after FIFA sent them an official warning letter to the FPF ‘risking a possible sanction’. But El Bocon said the bill is ‘back on track’, which could see Peru kicked out of the competition.
Earlier this year, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) was banned by FIFA because of what they said was ‘undue third-party interference’.
We’re already without Italy in the World Cup, it’d be weird for Spain not to be involved as well.
