FIFA, UEFA suspend Bosnia-Herzegovina from world football

FIFA and UEFA Friday suspended Bosnia-Herzegovina from international football after its federation failed to install a single president to replace its three-member leadership.
   In a joint statement, the world and European football bodies said the Bosnia-Herzegovina football federation FFBH has been suspended until further notice.

   "This decision was necessary as the General Assembly of the FFBH did not adopt the statutes according to FIFA and UEFA requirements," a joint statement said.

   The decision means the national team and club teams will be barred from international competitions until the problem is resolved. No FFBH official or representative may participate in any international match or event.

   "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 FFBH back into the football family as soon as possible," the statement said.

   FIFA and UEFA had given the FFBH until March 31 to adopt the statutes.

   But the two governing bodies said the FFBH general assembly, held in Sarajevo on March 29, did not achieve the necessary support, with only 22 out of the 54 delegates present voting in favour of amending the regulations.

   A Bosnia, Croat and Serb share the Bosnian federation's leadership. Bosnian Serbs have opposed a single president for fear it could jeopardize their autonomy.

Bosnia-Herzegovina are fourth in Group D of the Euro 2012 qualifiers, five points behind leaders France and a point behind Belarus and Albania. Their next scheduled match is away to Romania on June 3.