FIFA lifts ban on Sudan

Johannesburg: FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura on Thursday announced that the ban imposed on Sudan last week for government interference in the sport has been lifted lifted. However, the Sudanese government has now annulled the decision that gave way to the ban by reinstating of Mutasim Gaafar Sir Elkhatim as president of the Sudan Football Association. "Under the circumstances, (FIFA) decided to lift the suspension with immediate effect," said Samoura. However it was too late for Sudan's leading sides in African club competition - Al Merriekh and Al Hilal, which were disqualified from the Champions League because of the suspension. Al Hilal Obeid was also eliminated from the second-tier Confederation Cup. However, the Sudanese national team which has performed poorly in recent years and is ranked 164 in FIFA rankings will now be able to contest a forthcoming 2018 African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier against Burundi. Sudan earned its ban after the Ministry of Justice on 2 June ordered the removal of Mutasim Gaafar Sir Elkhatim as president of the country's FA (SFA) and two rival groups claimed control of the body. The path to reintegration into Fifa began when Sudan Prime Minister Bakri Hassan Salih issued a resolution overturning that decision on 7 July. Sudan's clubs had to play between 7-9 July in African competitions but FIFA, in its letter, says it was only informed of the government’s overturn on 10 July.