Fifa drop threats against Poland

Fifa drop their threat of sanctions against Poland after reaching an agreement with the country's government, the Fifa president Sepp Blatter says.

BRUSSELS // World football's governing body Fifa have dropped their threat of sanctions against Poland after reaching an agreement with the country's government, the Fifa president Sepp Blatter said today. "We have received letters and documents that there has been an agreement between the [Poland] FA (Football Association) and the Polish government," Blatter told reporters in Brussels. "If this agreement comes into force tomorrow it is sufficient for us. We will not impose any sanctions once the agreement comes into force." Fifa last week warned the Polish government that they were facing the possible suspension of their national football team after the Polish authorities decided to remove the FA's leadership and install a government-appointed administrator. European football's governing body Uefa also said that Poland would likely lose its right to host the 2012 European Championship ? which they are to co-host with Ukraine ? unless an agreement was reached before Fifa's deadline today.

According to a statement released by Fifa following Blatter's announcement, the Polish government has agreed to end its administration of the football association and adhere a "roadmap" set up following a similar row in 2007. Under the terms of the agreement, Fifa said that an independent electoral committee comprising government, Fifa and Uefa representatives, would oversee upcoming elections for the leadership of the Polish FA. "This positive evolution will allow the two 2010 Fifa World Cup qualifying matches Poland v Czech Republic and Slovakia v Poland, scheduled for Oct 11 and 15, to take place," the statement said. "However, Fifa will continue to closely monitor the situation at the Polish FA and the implementation of the measures established in the roadmap. "The matter will be analysed and discussed once more at the next Fifa Executive Committee meeting on 23-24 October."

*Reuters