[gohb]

Kenya has been indefinitely suspended for government interference with the FA. This decision has been in the works for a while: federation officials had been removed by the government on suspicion of corruption (they're going to be arraigned in court this week), and despite FIFA demands, the Sports Ministry refused to reinstate them. Here's the bulletin on the suspension:

http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynati...=1&newsid=9005

[saabrian]

Now this is tricky. I understand FIFA's objective of keeping politics and sports separated (at least as much as possible). No one wants a repeat of what happened to the Ivory Coast team who were detained by the military junta for a few days following a surprising early exit from the 2000 African Nations Cup. Or worse, no one wants what happened to soccer players in Saddam's Iraq when they failed to win important matches. Football is very political in many countries. Presidents' popularity can rise and fall with the fortunes of the national team: ask Senegal's Abdoulaye Wade.

One the other hand, such a hardline almost would seem to give impunity to soccer federations. They can do whatever they want and the government can't legally crack down on them for fear of incurring FIFA's wrath. The federations in Kenya, Guinea and Brazil have all been accused of corruption or financial mismanagement. Now, if any other business commits corruption, we would laud the government for cracking down. But in soccer, it's unacceptable?

FIFA, whose self-serving motto is "for the good of the game," really needs to offer advice or guidelines to governments as to what should be done if a soccer federation is getting out of control.

But this is unlikely since FIFA itself is widely accused of... corruption and financial mismanagement.

[IASocFan]

BUMP. Any update on Kenya's status?

[beachesl]

FIFA today announced an interim board for Kenya football, headed by running legend, Kip Keino. They are to rport back to FIFA August 1, when FIFA is to make at least an interim decision as to Kenya's international ban.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...ca/3878021.stm

It seems unlikely that Kenya would be given an opportunity to get back into WC/ANC qualifying given that they have missed 3 matches, but with FIFA we have learned that anything is possible.

[VioletCrown]

Originally Posted by beachesl

FIFA today announced an interim board for Kenya football, headed by running legend, Kip Keino. They are to rport back to FIFA August 1, when FIFA is to make at least an interim decision as to Kenya's international ban.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...ca/3878021.stm

It seems unlikely that Kenya would be given an opportunity to get back into WC/ANC qualifying given that they have missed 3 matches, but with FIFA we have learned that anything is possible.

Apparently, they're back, being as they're in the middle of winning a qualifying game.

[EvanJ]

Kenya World Cup Qualifying makeup game dates:
17 November 2004 vs. Guinea
9 February 2005 vs. Morocco
17 August 2005 vs. Tunisia