FIFA has suspended the Central American nation Belize from international football with immediate effect because of what the sport's governing body calls "severe government interference".
The suspension means the return leg of Belize's World Cup qualifier against Montserrat, scheduled for Monday, has been postponed.
Belize beat Montserrat 5-2 midweek in the opening game of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
FIFA had warned sanctions could be on the way after the government said they no longer recognised the Belize Football Federation or the national team.
Initially FIFA had given the parties until the end of June to resolve the dispute but suspended the association after it was told by the Belize government that no security would be provided for the next game.
FIFA says if the match is not rearranged by July 10th at the latest, Belize would be eliminated from World Cup qualifying.
FIFA statutes reject any government interference in the autonomy of football federations and have led to a number of conflicts and suspensions in the past.
