ZURICH (AP) — FIFA has suspended Cameroon after the re-election last month of its soccer federation president, who was arrested for alleged financial crimes in his business career.
The suspension could prevent Cameroon from playing a key World Cup qualifier Sept. 6 against Libya. It also could affect the club team Coton Sports when it resumes its African Champions League season July 20.
FIFA’s emergency committee imposed the suspension Thursday because of government interference in the federation.
The governing body says the Cameroonian president of African soccer, Issa Hayatou, did not take part in the vote. FIFA says it will create an emergency panel to run the Cameroon federation and hold elections by March 31.
Longstanding federation leader Mohammed Iya is being investigated for alleged mismanagement while in charge of the state-owned cotton company.
