ZURICH (AP) — Sudan’s soccer federation has been given two weeks to hold new elections or face suspension from the sport.
Soccer’s governing body wrote to Sudan on Monday, refusing to recognize last week’s elections. FIFA set an Aug. 15 deadline for fresh polls “without any influence of third parties.”
Sudan was threatened with suspension before the elections because the government barred some candidates and ordered others to pay what FIFA called a “prohibitive” fee.
FIFA rules protect soccer leaders from government interference. The organization can exclude national teams, clubs and officials from international games and meetings if politicians refuse to back down.
