FIFA has banned Peru from international competition due to a long-running dispute between the Peruvian government and the country's football federation (FPF). Unless the dispute is resolved, Peru will be prematurely eliminated from World Cup qualifying (its next game is in March), and its clubs will not be able to take part in the 2009 Copa Libertadores.

"FIFA has suspended Peru from all activity," South American soccer federation (CSF) Secretary General Eduardo de Luca told reporters Monday at its HQ in Asuncion, Paraguay. The problem is that the Peruvian government's Institute of Sports (IPD) does not recognise FPF president Manuel Burga, claiming his election was irregular.

"There is absolutely no intervention by the government," said IPD president Arturo Woodman. "What there is, is respect for Peruvian law. He [Burga] cannot be a director." Burga apologized to the Peruvian people and said the problem was that "Peruvian law is not compatible with the FIFA statutes, and so anyone who was in my place would be in the same situation."

De Luca said FIFA would tackle the problem at its next executive committee meeting in Tokyo next month, but added that the CSF is confident the dispute can be resolved. Peru has already been stripped of the right to host next year's South American U-20 championship because of the feud.

 

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