Bosnia-Herzegovina Suspended from FIFA/UEFA Competitions

The Bosnia-Herzegovina international and club soccer teams have been suspended from both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice. The men’s national side features English Premier League soccer club Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko, Hoffenheim striker Vedad Ibisevic and captain Emir Spahic amongst its starring ranks.

The sanction has come into place after seeing a row regarding the Bosnian football federation (NSBiH) remain unresolved.

FIFA and UEFA have previously informed the NSBiH that they must replace their three-man presidency with a single leader or face possible suspension which they have failed to do before the deadline set by the governing bodies of March 31.

FIFA and UEFA have demanded that a solitary leader be put in place and believe they have no option but to bar the country from competition until the situation is resolved.

FIFA released a statement reading: “The Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FFBH/NSBiH) has been suspended until further notice by FIFA and UEFA as of today, 1 April 2011. This decision was necessary as the General Assembly of the FFBH did not adopt the statutes according to FIFA and UEFA requirements. The Executive Committees of FIFA (on 28 October 2010) and UEFA (on 4 October 2010) had requested the FFBH to adopt the statutes according to FIFA and UEFA minimum requirements by no later than 31 March 2011, otherwise the FFBH would be automatically suspended.

“The FFBH representative and club teams are no longer entitled to take part in international competitions as of 1 April 2011 and until the aforementioned problem is resolved. This also means that, as of 1 April 2011, no FFBH official or representative may participate in any international match or event.”

A joint statement by FIFA and UEFA added: “FIFA and UEFA deeply regret that this decision had to be taken and will meet shortly to discuss the next steps required to try to bring the NSBiH back into the football family as soon as possible.”