FIFA Removes Suspension on Sri Lanka after Election Pledge

The local federation said Tuesday that FIFA has removed the ban on Sri Lankan football as a result of guarantees that there won't be any political meddling in the sport in the nation.

The suspension that was put in place in January has been lifted, according to a letter that the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) received from FIFA.

In its letter, football's global governing body said it took note of moves to hold fresh elections at the FFSL next month and assurances from the sports ministry to allow the FFSL to function without government interference.

"FIFA and the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) will continue to monitor the situation until the elections on September 29, 2023," the local board was informed.

The men's team from Sri Lanka is rated 204th worldwide, while the women's squad is 153rd.

In May, Sri Lanka was also placed on indefinite suspension by the rugby world governing body due to allegations of political meddling in the sport's operations.