By James Crook

Iya-MohammedJuly 4 - Cameroon's qualification campaign for next year's FIFA World Cup has been thrown into jeopardy after the country's Football Association (Fecafoot) was suspended from FIFA over Government interference in the re-election of their imprisoned President, meaning the national team and domestic clubs are banned from playing competitive matches.

The interference in question relates to the decision by the Ethics and Fair Play Commission of Cameroon to invalidate the Presidential vote, which came out in favour of re-electing the currently imprisoned Iya Mohammed.

Mohammed was jailed last month after allegedly embezzling state-owned cotton company Sodecoton whilst serving as managing director, with claims from state auditors that they lost around $19 million (£12.5 million/€14.5 million) over five years between 2005 and 2010 as a result.

171646710Fecafoot have been suspended from FIFA with immediate effect following Government interference with their Presidential election

Prosecutors have warned that he could be held for up to six months before trial while investigations continue.

"The FIFA Emergency Committee has decided to provisionally suspend the Cameroonian Football Association with immediate effect on account of government interference," said the world football governing body in a statement following their emergency committee meeting.

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

"During the period of suspension, Fecafoot may not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, or in friendly matches."

FIFA will now set about assembling a committee to revise the statutes of Fecafoot and organise elections, which they have said will take place before March 31.

The suspension will be lifted "once the country authorities allow the new normalisation committee to enter the Fecafoot headquarters and to carry out its activities unhindered", according to FIFA.

170705078The suspension has thrown Cameroon's hopes of qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup into jeopardy

They also confirmed that the Cameroonian Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Issa Hayatou was not given a vote.

If Fecafoot remain suspended by FIFA on September 6, The Indomitable Lions will be unable to complete their fixture against Libya to decide which of the nations will go through to the next stage of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Cameroon are currently top of their qualification group after their 2-0 defeat to Togo was overturned today due to their opponents fielding Marseille midfielder Jacques Alexys Romao when he should have been serving a one-match suspension.

The suspension also means that domestic side Coton Sport will not be able to continue their current CAF Champions League campaign, which is due to get back underway in just over two weeks time on July 20.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter had backed Mohammed after he was re-elected as President.

"Your election is a clear vote of confidence on your capacity from the Cameroon football community and I hope to use our friendship and excellent collaboration to ameliorate good governance," Blatter wrote in a letter to Mohammed, who has served as Fecafoot President since 1998.

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Cameroon Football Federation and FIFA on collision course after President re-elected despite being in prison