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Kenya, Zimbabwe suspended by Fifa for government interference

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Kudakwashe Mahachi of Zimbabwe celebrates goal with teammates during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Afcon Finals football match between Zimbabwe and Guinea at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon on 18 January 2022 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

The Kenyan and Zimbabwean football federations were both suspended by Fifa on Thursday due to government interference with Fifa President Gianni Infanti saying that “they know what needs to be done for the suspension to be lifted”.

“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 later gave more details on the reasons for the suspensions, referring at a press conference to “government interference in the activities of the football federation”.

“They know what needs to be done for the suspension to be lifted,” he added.

The Fifa Council met briefly by videoconference on Thursday, without taking any major action on the project to reform the international calendar which could see a World Cup every two years, an idea promoted by Fifa but opposed by European and South American federations.