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Soccer-Indonesian FA suspended by FIFA for government meddling

ZURICH, May 30 (Reuters) - The Indonesian Football Association has been suspended by soccer's world governing body FIFA because of government interference in the Southeast Asian country's national league.

The ban, which takes effect immediately, means Indonesia will not be eligible to compete in the next round of qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Asian Cup, starting in less than two weeks.

However FIFA did allow Indonesia's national team to play at the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore because the tournament has already started.

FIFA took action against Indonesia following a row between local government and the football association which has resulted in the cancellation of the domestic competition.