BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP):
THE WORLD soccer governing body has suspended the Barbados Football Association following a power struggle between the association's former secretary-general and current president, the team president confirmed.
The Switzerland-based FIFA did not announce the length of the suspension, but it is not expected to exceed a year.
BFA president Ronald Jones confirmed the action, which first appeared on FIFA's website. He said the news was devastating for the island, whose most popular sport is soccer, and which boasts more than 200 BFA-registered teams of various levels.
"It means essentially that Barbados has become a pariah relative to football in the world," Jones said. "No one can play with or against Barbados."
Jones said the Barbados under-15 team was preparing for a Caribbean tournament in Trinidad in August and would likely be the first hit by the suspension.
FIFA's decision was prompted by an ongoing power struggle between Jones and former secretary-general Randy Harris, who is contesting Jones' win in the September 2004 club president elections.
When FIFA arbitrators ruled in favour of Jones, Harris took the issue to the Barbados High Court, prompting FIFA to suspend the BFA.
FIFA said it took action against the association because "one of its members continues to violate the FIFA statutes".
Harris could not be reached for comment.
