Rival factions of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) exist in a sport which is deeply divided.

One of these, based in Paris, has called an AGM for November of this year, as reported by American Football International.

However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which is ruling on the matter, has not yet declared if the Paris body or its rival New York-based faction is in charge.

A letter was sent about the AGM by the Paris branch, on official IFAF paper.

Gregor Murth, vice president of the Austrian governing body for the sport, told American Football International: "We received this invitation.

"I admit we are a little surprised too. 

"We have not heard anything from CAS about which IFAF is the official ruling body and November is still a long way away. 

"So it leaves us puzzled as to the timing."

A partial decision by CAS in October ruled that Tommy Wiking should cease and desist from acting as and referring to himself as President of the IFAF after it was decided he resigned from the position in February 2015.

In September of 2016, members of the IFAF Congress staged in New York City unanimously voted to continue with an attempt to resolve the governance issues at CAS.

At the meeting in the American city, held at the same time as the rival group held their own Congress in Paris, Canadian Richard MacLean was elected to replace Finland's Roope Noronen as President.

Wiking was reappointed as President of the other organisation in the French capital.

Both groups still lay claim to being the official IFAF.

Wiking reportedly offered his resignation as President in February 2015 following the collapse of the World Championships in his native Sweden, before changing his position.

He denies this is what happened.

Other problems in the sport include the IFAF being suspended by the Global Association of International Sports Federations last month for failing to pay money owed to the umbrella organisation for "anti-doping services".

This year's European Championships in German city Frankfurt have also been cancelled due to the internal situation in the sport, while Zorica Hofman, the secretary general of the Paris body, has resigned.

She spoke of "rough times fighting against so many odds".