A new committee aimed at defusing tension between the Polish government and the national soccer federation held its first session on Thursday.
The Polish sports ministry and the federation have clashed over corruption allegations against soccer officials and a match-fixing scandal.
The eight-member body _ comprising three ministry representatives and one each from the federation, Poland's amateur and elite leagues, FIFA and UEFA _ will discuss proposed changes to the federation's constitution.
It will also deal with discrepancies between Polish law governing sport and FIFA rules as the ministry wants changes in the federation's leadership and statute.
More than 30 people are facing match-fixing and bribery charges in Polish soccer since prosecutors in the western city of Wroclaw opened an investigation last year.
In July, the Polish government launched a probe into the federation's finances. Two months later, the sports ministry criticized the federation for failing to stop corruption, and announced an audit that could result in its board being suspended and an acting chief being named to conduct new elections.
Such a move would violate FIFA rules and could lead to Poland's suspension from international play.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
