Uruguay: resignation of the Federation's executive committee in response to government decision

Sebastián Bauzá, president of the AUF (Uruguayan Football Association), and the executive committee of the Federation, resigned from their duties on 31/03/2014. This decision followed the President of the Republic of Uruguay, José Mujica, and his government's decision to ask the local police to no longer provide security during matches between Peñarol and Nacional, the two major clubs in the country and Montevideo, its capital, because of the violence by some of their ultras, the "barras bravas."

"The well-publicised acts that have occurred in recent times show the need for [the AUF board to take] a step to one side and allow other political views to govern our football," said the executive committee of the Uruguayan Federation in an open letter, addressed to José Mujica, on 31/03/2014.

According to El Pais and El Observador, two major newspapers in the country, the decision of President José Mujica could be interpreted by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) as an interference in the governance of Uruguayan football, and could lead to the suspension of the AUF…