LISBON, Portugal (AP) - Portuguese teams will be banned from all international soccer competitions if its federation's officials fail to resolve a dispute that is before a civil court by Sept. 14, says FIFA, the world governing body of the sport.
The Portuguese federation said on its website that it received a letter Monday from FIFA giving it two weeks to settle the dispute over which clubs are entitled to play in the first division this season.
Gil Vicente, a small club, took legal action in the civil court after its promotion from the second division was overturned because it was found to have fielded an ineligible player last season.
Going to a civil court to settle a sports dispute is a violation of domestic and FIFA regulations.
The federation said FIFA expressed concern in its letter ``that this situation not only weakens soccer but also affects the integrity of (the international) competitions.''
FIFA will call a meeting of its emergency committee with a view to suspending Portuguese teams from Sept. 14, the federation said.
Portugal is playing in the qualifying campaign for the 2008 European championship, and three Portuguese clubs - FC Porto, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon - have qualified for the Champions League.
The federation said it intended to enact a rarely used legal measure - called a public interest order - to ensure the domestic league resumes as scheduled next weekend despite the ongoing court case.
Gil Vicente has said it may continue to pursue its action in the civil court.
The first round was disrupted due to Gil Vicente's legal action.
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Didn't this happen to the Greek NT? It gets resolved so fast, it shouldn't even be called a threat..
Bladder, the smelly poopy face...
The Portuguese federation said on its website that it received a letter Monday from FIFA giving it two weeks to settle the dispute over which clubs are entitled to play in the first division this season.
Gil Vicente, a small club, took legal action in the civil court after its promotion from the second division was overturned because it was found to have fielded an ineligible player last season.
Going to a civil court to settle a sports dispute is a violation of domestic and FIFA regulations.
The federation said FIFA expressed concern in its letter ``that this situation not only weakens soccer but also affects the integrity of (the international) competitions.''
FIFA will call a meeting of its emergency committee with a view to suspending Portuguese teams from Sept. 14, the federation said.
Portugal is playing in the qualifying campaign for the 2008 European championship, and three Portuguese clubs - FC Porto, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon - have qualified for the Champions League.
The federation said it intended to enact a rarely used legal measure - called a public interest order - to ensure the domestic league resumes as scheduled next weekend despite the ongoing court case.
Gil Vicente has said it may continue to pursue its action in the civil court.
The first round was disrupted due to Gil Vicente's legal action.
---
Didn't this happen to the Greek NT? It gets resolved so fast, it shouldn't even be called a threat..
Bladder, the smelly poopy face...
