Peru Football Federation president calms fears of World Cup expulsion

Peru Football Federation (FPF) president Edwin Oviedo affirmed there is no need for Peru national team supporters to fear expulsion from the 2018 FIFA World Cup amid policy issues within the country.

It is feared the team's spot in Russia could be in trouble due to the possibility of Peru's Institute of Sport gaining control over the FPF - an arrangement FIFA does not allow and would thus disqualify Peru from competing in its first World Cup in more than three decades.

But Oviedo is confident that there is a mutual understanding between the FPF and the Peruvian government that would prevent that from happening.

"Congress listened to our suggestions in order not to take this risk," Oviedo told Peruvian radio station RPP, according to ESPN FC. "We at the FPF are calm. It's impossible that we risk Peru's participation. Our national team will be in Russia 2018."

Oviedo's message came in response to a report by newspaper Libero pointing out that a bill presented by congresswoman Paloma Noceda to remove the FPF's autonomy would see Peru's spot at the World Cup jeopardized.

But Noceda clarified the intent of the bill, affirming it "would not endanger, in any way, the World Cup participation."

She told the EFE news agency, according to ESPN FC: "We are happy to have qualified for the World Cup. It's been three decades that we have waited for this.

"Everyone celebrated because of it and my bill has nothing to do with football. It's only directed at matters regarding sport centres."