Uruguay’s Football Association (AUF) board resigned on Monday amid a crisis which media reports said could rob the national team of their place at the World Cup.

The reason behind the move appears to be the Uruguayan government’s decision to withdraw police protection at matches involving the country’s big clubs Penarol and Nacional because of violence by their “barras bravas” hardcore fans.

“The well publicised acts that have occurred in recent times show the need for the AUF board to take a step to one side and allow other political views to govern our football,” AUF president Sebastian Bauza’s resignation letter said.

Leading newspapers El Pais and El Observador said that FIFA might interpret Uruguayan President Jose Mujica’s decision as interference in football affairs and suspend the AUF and the Uruguay team from competition.

But Eugenio Figueredo, the president of South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL, told Reuters that he knew of no FIFA investigation into the AUF.

Figueredo, an Uruguayan, said he did not believe there was any risk of 2010 semi-finalists Uruguay not playing at the World Cup in neighbouring Brazil that kicks off on June 12.

“I’m totally unaware (of this FIFA story). The truth is I have no news from CONMEBOL or FIFA,” Figue-redo said.

“You can’t draw conclusions from a rumour.

“The World Cup is already on top of us. Can you imagine a national association being suspended (now) for an internal or sports politics matter? FIFA is a bit more serious.

“I don’t think Uruguay’s place at the World Cup is at risk.”