Zurich - Iraq could be suspended from playing international football over a decision by the country's Olympic committee to dissolve the football association's governing board, FIFA said Tuesday.

Football's world governing body said if the decision was not cancelled within 72 hours (from November 16) it "will have no choice but to refer the issue to the FIFA emergency committee in order to decide on a possible IFA (Iraqi Football Association) suspension."

The federation's suspension would prevent Iraqi teams taking part in international competition.

FIFA said the basis for the Olympic committee's decision was "incomprehensible to FIFA" and "stands in total contradiction with IFA and FIFA statutes."

It appealed "once more to all stakeholders in Iraq to respect the autonomy of sport in general and the IFA in particular and to allow IFA to conduct its affairs according its statutes and those of FIFA."

The Olympic committee dissolved IFA's governing board on Monday for alleged financial irregularities and delaying elections.

FIFA executive committee had in late September granted IFA until April 30, 2010 to adopt new statutes and to elect a new board, saying the process had to be completed without interference from governmental authorities.

FIFA has last month expressed concerns that "some quarters in the Iraqi government might be trying to force earlier elections or otherwise interfere in the process." (dpa)