SINGAPORE: The Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (BAFA) has been suspended by FIFA for government interference in its affairs, soccer's world governing body said Wednesday.

"It started with a decision by the Brunei authorities to dissolve BAFA and to replace it with a new federation in December 2008," FIFA said in a statement.

The suspension, which applies globally, means Brunei and its clubs are unable to take part in international competitions.

One Brunei club, DPMM, currently plays in Singapore's S-League, but will no longer be allowed to do so.

The suspension will only be lifted only when BAFA is reinstated by the government.

FIFA's executive committee, meanwhile, said it was also closely monitoring the situation within a number of other associations, including Iraq, Kuwait, Togo, El Salvador and Peru.