Chile to be thrown out of World Cup?

Chile could be thrown out of 2010 World Cup

Fifa does not approve of civil or government intervention in football

Chile could be thrown out of the 2010 World Cup after being given 72 hours by Fifa to stop Chilean club Rangers from attempting to annul their relegation.

Fifa is unhappy that Rangers have taken their case to the Chilean courts of justice as it does not approve of civil or government intervention in football.

The governing body has written to the Chilean Football Association urging it to persuade Rangers to drop the case.

And Chile's national team may be banned if their FA fails to take action.

The decision whether to suspend Chile from the World Cup in South Africa would then be discussed by Fifa's executive committee, who meet next week.

Fifa's letter, which was sent to ANFP president Harold Mayne-Nicholls, read: "We beseech your association to call on your affiliated club... to withdraw the case it took to the Chilean courts of justice within the next 72 hours or... announce the pertinent sanctions against your affiliated club.

"If your association does not adopt the necessary measures as we have indicated, the case will be put to Fifa's executive committee in its session of December 3, 2009 in Cape Town... so it considers imposing a suspension against (the ANFP)."

Rangers were relegated after they were docked three points for fielding one foreign player too many in a match.