Poland refuses to back down in row with FIFA

Poland refuse to back down in a row with FIFA that could lead to the national team being banned from international competition.

Minister of Sport Tomasz Lipiec, who suspended the Polish Football Association (PZPN) management on Jan. 19 and appointed a temporary administrator, said the FA board could not continue in place in the wake of a corruption scandal.

As many as 70 referees, club bosses and FA officials have now been detained by prosecutors after a two-year investigation into allegations of bribery and match-fixing in the Polish game.

FIFA rejects any interference in FA affairs by politicians and has said the Polish national team and its clubs face being banned from international matches unless the suspension is reversed.

But Lipiec showed no signs of compromise at a news conference this week and said the PZPN leadership had to go.

"Only resignation of the whole suspended management of the FA could be the beginning of our talks," Lipiec said.

"The suspended management must be dismissed. Their resignation is the basis for any talks."