By Kate Gaduna<\/p>\n
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon<\/p>\n
Burkina Faso president Ibrahim Traor\u00e9 has announced plans for his government to intervene directly in the running and development of football in the country, despite the possibility of sanctions from FIFA.<\/p>\n
Traor\u00e9 says the government has reached a point where it can no longer stand aside and watch the problems surrounding the country\u2019s football continue. He acknowledged that government involvement could lead to a suspension from FIFA, but insisted that this would not stop his administration from taking action.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have no choice; we have to step in, regardless of whether we get suspended or not,\u201d Traor\u00e9 said.<\/p>\n
The Burkinab\u00e8 leader says the planned intervention is not simply about taking control of football administration. According to him, the focus will be on putting better structures in place, improving infrastructure and giving players better support and working conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are going to inject new energy so that people feel more at ease and can give their best,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Government interference in the affairs of a national football federation is normally a sensitive issue for FIFA, which insists that member associations must manage their affairs independently and without political interference.<\/p>\n
A government takeover or direct interference could therefore expose Burkina Faso to disciplinary measures, including a possible suspension from international football.<\/p>\n
For Traor\u00e9, however, the potential consequences appear to be secondary to what he believes is the need to fix the country\u2019s football system.<\/p>\n
The president\u2019s comments are likely to generate debate within Burkina Faso and beyond, particularly over where the line should be drawn between government investment in football and direct control of football administration.<\/p>\n
Burkina Faso has established itself as one of Africa\u2019s emerging football nations in recent years, and Traor\u00e9\u2019s government now wants to build on that progress by creating what it believes will be a better environment for players and the wider football community.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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