February 25 – FIFA have suspended Zimbabwe and Kenya from all international competition as a result of government interference in the running of their affairs.
Zimbabwe was banned after its government-run Sports and Recreation Commission refused to relinquish control of the Zimbabwe Football Association and reinstate the federation’s leadership.
ZIFA officials were removed from office in November on allegations of corruption.
Kenya was banned after its sports ministry also removed the federation’s leaders.
“Without prejudice to investigations by national authorities or other judiciary bodies, the FIFA Council has decided to suspend the Kenya Football Federation and the Zimbabwe Football Federation with immediate effect for undue influence by a third party,” said a FIFA statement.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino added at a post-FIFA council press conference: “They know what needs to be done for the suspension to be lifted.”
Last November FIFA directed the Kenyan authorities to immediately reinstate embattled Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa who was arrested following the federation being annulled in direct breach of FIFA rules.
Mwendwa was picked up by police at a Nairobi hotel the day after the government set up a 15-member caretaker committee to run the federation and investigate alleged financial irregularities during his tenure.
Kenya’s women’s national team have already become innocent victims of the crisis after being forced to withdraw from World Cup qualifying.
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