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FIFA may kick Spain out of the Russia 2018 World Cup over “political interference” in the upcoming election in the Spanish football federation (RFEF)
The RFEF is currently led by Juan Luis Larrea on an interim basis, after former president Angel Maria Villar was made to step down on corruption charges.
Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that the government’s National Sports Council have made contact with the RFEF over who becomes new RFEF president. The action is against FIFA strict rules – which would rule any involvement from the Spanish government as political interference in the football federation.
FIFA can suspend the membership of any national football team if they judge the association has been influenced by external political pressure.
The rule states: “Each member must manage their affairs independently and ensure that there is no interference by third parties in their affairs.”
Earlier this year, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) was banned by FIFA due to “undue third-party interference”.
Under the ruling, the PFF’s national and club teams were forbidden from taking part in international competitions until the suspension is lifted.
The Kuwait Football Association was meanwhile suspended between 2015-2017 for similar levels of interference.