FIFA warning for French politicians

A THREAT by FIFA yesterday to ban France’s national and club teams from international competition if the government did not stay out of soccer affairs failed to stop political debate over France’s World Cup debacle.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter warned that soccer’s governing body would suspend the French Football Federation (FFF) if France’s politicians interfered in its business.

The threat came as a National Assembly spokeswoman said coach Raymond Domenech, whose contract ended after the finals, and FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes, who has quit his post, would appear at a parliamentary commission. French sports minister Roselyne Bachelot spoke before that commission yesterday and said the government was determined to preserve the independence of the FFF.