FIFA warns Poland on suspension

The Polish government must reinstate the country's football association by Oct. 6 or risk being suspended from World Cup qualifiers, world governing body FIFA said yesterday.

A FIFA spokesman confirmed that if Poland was in breach of statutes after the deadline, the World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic on Oct. 11 and Slovakia on Oct. 15 may not take place and their opponents could be awarded a 3-0 win.

The management board of the Polish FA (PZPN) was suspended on Monday by the country's arbitration tribunal at the request of Warsaw's sports minister Miroslaw Drzewiecki in an anti-corruption drive and replaced by an administrator.

FIFA and UEFA - whose rules do not allow government interference in the game - said they do not recognise administrator Robert Zawlock. Warsaw was also warned it risked losing the right to co-host Euro 2012 alongside Ukraine.

"FIFA has today sent a letter in order to stress the fact that the internationally-recognised authorities of the PZPN must be restored in the headquarters of the federation in order to be able to adequately organise the two 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches," FIFA said in a statement.

"The letter indicates a deadline of Oct. 6 at noon for those authorities recognised by FIFA and UEFA to receive full control of the Polish FA premises. The Polish FA is reminded of the potential consequences defined in case of violation of the FIFA Statutes."

Jerzy Engel, deputy head of the PZPN, said his organisation is "convinced we will be able to solve all domestic issues by Monday and the matches will take place.

"We have two days for talks. We should do our best to ensure Poland takes part in the World Cup qualifiers, games with the Czech Republic on Oct. 11 and with Slovakia on Oct. 12.," he said.

"We should solve our problems within the country so as not to force FIFA or UEFA to intervene."

Accusations of corruption in the PZPN have been raised many times in the past and a succession of sports ministers, including Drzewiecki, have tried to oust PZPN head Michal Listkiewicz.

Poland was warned in 2007 it risked suspension by FIFA after the government appointed a commissioner as head of the PZPN in a previous crackdown on corruption.

FIFA's executive committee is expected to discuss the matter on Oct. 22, while UEFA is to convene a meeting of its emergency panel around the same time.