Two African national teams are disbanded after government interference.
Football’s world governing body, FIFA, has suspended Kenya and Zimbabwe from all football-related activities with immediate effect due to government interference.
At a press conference on Thursday, FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, confirmed the decision. The national teams and clubs can no longer play in international competitions. FIFA will also cut off their funding as part of the suspension.
Referees won’t be able to take part in any international assignments either, while players based in either of the two countries can’t do transfers during the ban.
“We had to suspend two of our members; Kenya and Zimbabwe, both for government interference in the activities of football associations. The associations are suspended with immediate effect,” said Infantino.
“They know what needs to be done for them to be readmitted or for their suspensions to be lifted.”
BREAKING| It is official that FIFA has suspended #Kenya from all football related activities.
FIFA President Giani Infantino has confirmed that Kenya and Zimbabwe have been suspended due to Government interference.#FIFA #HarambeeStars #HarambeeStarlets pic.twitter.com/KtqYjerdGU
— Moses Wakhisi (@moseswakhisi) February 24, 2022
Why is Kenya suspended?
Sports Cabinet Secretary, Amina Mohamed, banned the Nick Mwendwa-led Football Federation last November. He installed a Caretaker Committee to run football activities; appointing Kenyan Judge Aaron Ringera as the head of the newly formed task force.
FKF president Mwendwa was arrested twice and is currently facing criminal charges. His deputy, Doris Petra, has since replaced him.
The development, however, didn’t sit well with FIFA. The football governing body asked the Kenyan government to ‘repel’ the decision on Thursday and reinstate the previous board until another solution can be found
What about Zimbabwe?
T
he southern African nation’s government-appointed Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) suspended the 
Felton Kamambo-led football association (ZIFA) with immediate effect last November.
At the time, SRC cited allegations of fraud, sexual 
harassment of female referees, a lack of youth development, and not 
treating the women’s team in the same manner as the men’s side as some of the reasons for their actions.
As with Kenya, FIFA didn’t approve of this decision. It has suspended Zimbabwe from all football-related activities until the ZIFA board is reinstated.
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