Iraq, who won the AFC Asian Cup in 2007, have been struggling recently as they attempt to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals.
Norwegian coach Egil Olsen was sacked from the Iraq national post in February and replaced by Adnan Hamad after they drew their opening World Cup qualifier against China 1-1.
"AFC's appeal to the sports minister of Iraq is to restore the integrity of the association... "
Mohamed bin Hammam,
AFC president |
The reigning Asian Champions then lost 2-0 to Qatar and currently sit last in Group A behind Australia (four points), Qatar (three) and China (two).
Iraq are scheduled to play their next World Cup qualification game on June 1 against Australia in Brisbane, but the AFC's failure to recognise any new government-appointed administration could put that in doubt.
Bin Hammam said the government's action had put Iraq's integrity at stake.
Negative impact
"The Iraq Football Association has done excellent work despite the difficult conditions they are operating in," bin Hammam said.
"It is a testimony to their hard work that Iraq are the Asian champions and their youth teams have done so well in AFC tournaments and also the Olympics.
"AFC's appeal to the sports minister of Iraq is to restore the integrity of the association so that it can carry out its normal activities.
"Such governmental interference and dissolution of the football federation which has been democratically elected based on Fifa's statutes will have a negative impact on Iraqi football and Iraqi youth."