FIFA suspends Peru from international soccer

Published: Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008 2:21 p.m. MST
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ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) — FIFA suspended Peru from international soccer Tuesday because the government is feuding with the national federation.

Soccer's governing body gave the sides a month to settle their differences before its executive committee discusses the issue at a meeting Dec 19-20 in Tokyo. Peru is barred from the 2010 World Cup and could be expelled from FIFA.

FIFA rules prohibit political interference in soccer, but Peru's government has refused to recognize the election of Manuel Burga as president of the country's soccer federation.

The federation can return to good standing "on the basis of negotiations" with the president and the federation board, FIFA said. The board was elected in October 2007.

Burga refused to resign Tuesday.

"I'm not going to submit to blackmail or any of those kinds of pressures," he said. "I've done everything legally and I don't have any reason to run."

Peru's education and sports ministry told the Peruvian congress in October that Burga is to blame for violating Peruvian law and the government has every right to hold him responsible.

Peru is last in the 10-nation South American qualifying group and is not to play again until a March 28 home game against Chile.

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The dispute already has cost Peru hosting rights for the South American under-20 championship next year. Venezuela will stage the tournament instead.

Peruvian clubs are prohibited from playing teams from other countries following the FIFA ruling. Referees and officials from Peru are also barred from taking part in international games and soccer meetings while the suspension is in place.

Recent comments

this is a huge thing, too bad for the Peruvian soccer, it hurts the...

soccer fan | Nov. 25, 2008 at 3:23 p.m.

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