FIFA Ban Benin Over State Interference

Africa Cup of Nations is under serious threat after it was handed an indefinite suspension by FIFA on Tuesday. This decision was reached at the inaugural meeting of the FIFA Council underway in Mexico.

An attempt by the Benin FA to hold due elections was blocked by a local court – leaving the state of football administration in the West African country in tatters.

Such actions by an arm of government are deemed as interference by FIFA for which art. 38 of the FIFA Statutes was activated to have Benin banned from global football.

This decision by the FIFA Council will be confirmed at the upcoming FIFA Congress in Mexico.

A statement from FIFA read: “In accordance with art. 38 of the FIFA Statutes, the Benin Football Association (FBF) was suspended with immediate effect due to a recent injunction by a local judicial court which impeded the holding of the due election.

“The FIFA Congress will vote on the confirmation of the suspensions on the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI), the Football Association of Kuwait (KFA), and the Benin Football Association (FBF).”

This decision renders Benin ineligible to face Equatorial Guinea in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in June.