11:39, 16-Dec-2017
International Football: Spain faces possible ban from 2018 World Cup
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And more possible FIFA sanctions, as the Spanish national team is now under threat from being banned from the 2018 World Cup. Football's governing body is raising concerns the Spanish government may have interfered in the election of the country's new football federation president.
The Spanish F-A is being run by Juan Luis Larrea on an interim basis, after former president Angel Maria Villar was forced to step down on corruption charges.
La Roja seen here in qualifying, have been a mainstay at the football showpiece, qualifying for the event 11 straight times, and it would be a big blow to the tournament if they cannot compete.
FIFA has always asked that each F-A be run independently -- and not be influenced by any outside or political party. If there is evidence that Larrea's appointment may have been politically motivated, there is a real possibility the 2010 winners could be expelled from the tournament in Russia.
In the past FIFA has banned Nigeria, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Kuwait for government or third-party inference in football matters.