Cameroon suspended indefinitely by FIFA

Cameroon were suspended indefinitely by FIFA on Thursday because of government interference in the country's football federation.

The four-times African champions, whose next and final World Cup qualifier is due to be at home to Libya on September 6, had just gone top of their qualifying group earlier in the day.

"The FIFA emergency committee has decided to provisionally suspend the Cameroonian Football Association (FECAFOOT) with immediate effect on account of government interference," world soccer's governing body said in a statement.

"The FIFA Statutes oblige member associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties."

FIFA said a committee would be set up to revise FECAFOOT's statutes and organise elections.

It said the suspension would be lifted "once the country authorities allow the new normalisation committee to enter the FECAFOOT headquarters and to carry out its activities unhindered".

Cameroon went one point clear of Libya at the top of African Group I on Thursday after Togo were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player in a World Cup qualifier against them.

Cameroon, who had lost the game 2-0, were awarded a 3-0 win which propelled them to the top of the table with one match to play.

Photograph: Francois Lenoir/Reuters