BBC SPORT | Football | African | Chad given suspension by Fifa

Fifa has suspended Chad from international competition because of government interference in the sport.

The world governing body took the decision after the country's sports minister dissolved the federation.

"These decisions are in breach of the principles and statutes of Fifa, in particular article 17, which guarantees the independence of Fifa's member associations," Fifa said.

The suspension means Chadian clubs and officials are banned from continental competitions.

It puts in doubt Chad's African Nations Championship qualifier against Congo this weekend.

The move also threatens the country's participation in the forthcoming qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.

The minister dissolved the executive committee of the federation and created a committee to prepare the organization's general assembly.

Earlier this month, Fifa suspended the Malagasy FA over similar allegations.