An African nation reportedly stands the risk of being kicked out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup before it even gets underway.
Tunisia's World Cup fate is hanging in the balance after FIFA warned the Tunisian Football Federation that their national team will pay the price if the country's government interferes in footballing matters.
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This warning comes after Tunisia's youth and sports minister Kamel Deguiche issued a statement in which he threatened to "dissolve the federal bureaux", including the nation's football federation.
It is clear in FIFA's rules and regulations that an association must be free from any third-party or government influence to ensure the federation is not corrupted by lobbyists.
According to The Indian Express, FIFA's chief director of member associations, Kenny Jean-Marie, sent a letter to the Tunisian Football Federation requesting that Deguiche clarify his threat.
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"State authorities' attempts to interfere in the Tunisian Federation's internal affairs and its threats to dissolve FTF’s office," the letter read, per The Indian Express.
"In this regard, we would like to remind you that member associations of FIFA are legally obligated to conduct their affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties.
"Any failure to comply with these obligations may result in the imposition of penalties under the FIFA laws, including suspension of the relevant association."
FIFA has asked for a reply to the letter by this Friday.
If the government member continues with his initial threat, then Tunisia will be banished from the tournament.
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Kenya and Zimbabwe are also currently serving FIFA suspensions after a similar state of affairs in which there were "undue influence from third parties".
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