former french football president jean-pierre escalettes fell on his sword after france's poor world cup, but it might not be enough to appease the government

When the sports minister Roselyne Bachelot was sent to South Africa at the behest of France’s president Nicolas Sarkozy to warn the country’s football team, in no uncertain terms, that their poor conduct at the World Cup was  letting down the French people and themselves it was seen as a last plea to a stricken side.

The players, it was reported, cried when she told them that their strike over striker Nicolas Anelka’s banishment from the tournament was “an aberration, an imbecility, a stupidity without name”.

“How would you like people to remember you?” she pleaded with them, “What image do you want to leave behind? It’s your kids, our children, for whom perhaps you will no longer be heroes. It is the dreams of your partners, your friends, your fans that you have perhaps broken. You have tarnished the image of France.”

It was noble and emotional stuff that was applauded back at home in France, but it could it be the start of a dangerous policy of intervention from an increasingly fragile French government that is not prepared to sit idly by while the country’s reputation – and by rote, the government’s reputation – was dragged through the mud in front of the world by its overpaid, pampered footballers.

Since that speech, France have been beaten by the host nation South Africa and returned home in disgrace. The government has since set up an inquiry and the president of the French Football Federation Jean-Pierre Escalettes has resigned.

The French newspapers called the early exit an “Affair of State”, and the government took it that seriously – hauling the most senior player Thierry Henry, coach Raymond Domenech and Escalettes in front of a parliamentary committee.

It all sounds like political interference, and Fifa president Sepp Blatter has been quick to warn the French that if they persist in interfering in the affairs of the FFF, the country could be banned from all international competitions – and that means their clubs not being allowed to play in European competition.

Is the French reaction an isolated incident, or will Fifa be tested further as the importance of a nation’s football side increasingly comes to the attention of governments worldwide?

While England – another side who were shameful in South Africa – have been left untouched by the UK government, other administrators have moved quickly to get involved in football.

The Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan has withdrawn his side from all international competition, disbanded Nigeria’s football federation and launched an audit of the federation’s finances, which may lead to criminal prosecutions.

Many people who know about the corrupt nature of African football federations have applauded his decision, but Fifa will take a dim view of Nigeria’s interference. A ban would have automatically ensued, but with France also throwing political pressure on their federation will Fifa have the chutzpah to do so – and not ban the French.

Fifa has history in banning football federations for government interference. Kenya has been banned at least three times as the government attempted to eradicate rife corruption in the game. Greece, Iran and Bangladesh have also suffered similar bans recently.

There will come a time when Fifa will have to revisit their policy. Football is no longer the backwater game it used to be. Countries are aware that the actions of their football federations are intrinsically linked to their standing on the world stage. And, while Africa and Asia have been the main offenders, France’s “interference” could be a precursor to more interference by the governments of the powerhouses of football in Europe.

Today, Fifa set itself on a collision course with Nigeria, and other countries whose governments interfere in the affairs of football, by giving the president Jonathan an ultimatum: overturn the two-year ban on the football side or be banned from Fifa.

The football governing body will be aware more than anyone that they will be setting a precedent. After all, its referees will know that if you show a red card too early in a match, it can have dire consequences for the game.

Blatter and co. will hope that France et al heed the warning, or the next World Cup in Brazil could be missing some notable names.

And that is not what football, or anyone, wants.