FIFA are threatening to ban one of Africa's representatives from the 2022 FIFA World Cup following comments made by the nation's government.
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With just under a month to go until the World Cup kick offs in Qatar, Tunisia's place in the tournament is now under serious threat, with the world football governing body investigating the possibility of government interference in their football association.
FIFA has requested clarity on comments made by the country's youth and sports minister Kamel Deguiche when he spoke on the dissolving of federal offices of different disciplines. FIFA has interpreted this as including the liquidation of the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF).
The comments were made in a leaked letter, which was published by radio station Mosaique FM, and now FIFA has written a letter of its own seeking clarity regarding "state authorities' attempts to interfere in the Tunisian Federation's internal affairs and its threats to dissolve FTF's office", as per Goal.
"In this regard, we would like to remind you that member associations of FIFA are legally obligated to conduct their affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties," the letter continued.
"Any failure to comply with these obligations may result in the imposition of penalties under the FIFA laws, including suspension of the relevant association."
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Earlier this year, another two African nations, Zimbabwe and Kenya, were suspended by FIFA following government interference in their football associations.
Under FIFA's laws, football associations are prohibited from being controlled by their respective governments, and any country that breaks this rule will be suspended.
Tunisia are currently in Group D alongside Denmark, Australia and reigning world champions France for the tournament in Qatar.
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